ACG Case Reports Journal
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
A Meckel diverticulum can present like Crohn’s disease and may be the true cause when IBD treatment fails; identifying it can lead to a surgical cure for symptoms such as anemia and obstruction.
Who Should Pay Attention
Pediatric patients and their caregivers, pediatric and adult gastroenterologists, and surgeons who manage refractory or atypical Crohn’s disease presentations.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This case describes a 16-year-old boy initially treated as stricturing Crohn’s disease whose lack of response to anti–TNF therapy, persistent iron-deficiency anemia, and elevated fecal calprotectin prompted repeat imaging that suggested a Meckel diverticulum. Surgeons resected the lesion and the patient’s anemia resolved.
If your child or teen with presumed Crohn’s disease isn’t improving on standard therapies or has unexplained persistent anemia, clinicians may consider alternative diagnoses such as Meckel diverticulum and pursue targeted imaging or surgical consultation.
The takeaway is not that Meckel diverticulum is common in IBD but that re-evaluation can change the diagnosis and treatment when the clinical course is atypical or refractory.
Keep In Mind
This item is a single case report (abstract-level content). It illustrates an important diagnostic consideration but does not provide population-level risk or frequency data. Decisions about testing or surgery should be individualized and discussed with treating clinicians.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationACG Case Reports Journal
PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
AuthorsMerissa Maccani, Courtney Bartel, Oscar F. Lopez-Nunez +4 more
Study typeJournal Article
Indexed viaCrossref
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedSep 28, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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