Diagnostic Services

Meckel's Diverticulum Scan

A Meckel's Diverticulum Scan is a nuclear medicine imaging test used to detect the presence of Meckel's diverticulum, a congenital abnormality of the small intestine. The test involves injecting a radiotracer called technetium-99m pertechnetate into the bloodstream, which is preferentially taken up by the gastric mucosa present in the diverticulum. A gamma camera captures images of the abdomen, highlighting areas where the tracer accumulates. This scan helps diagnose Meckel's diverticulum, particularly in cases of unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding. The procedure is non-invasive and typically takes a couple of hours to complete.