Clinical meaning
Meckel's Diverticulum involves pathological processes affecting GI mucosal integrity, motility, secretion, absorption, or hepatobiliary function. Meckel's Diverticulum pathophysiology includes epithelial barrier disruption, inflammatory cascades (TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6), microbiome dysbiosis, and enteric nervous system dysfunction.
Diagnosis & workup
Diagnostics & workup: - ERCP for therapeutic biliary/pancreatic duct intervention - Anti-tTG IgA with total IgA for celiac disease screening - FibroScan or FIB-4 score for hepatic fibrosis staging - Hepatic function panel: AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, albumin - EGD with biopsy for upper GI pathology evaluation - H. pylori testing: urea breath test, stool antigen, or biopsy - Colonoscopy with polypectomy for lower GI assessment
Risk factors: - Age >65 with declining mucosal defenses - Chronic constipation with diverticular disease risk - Chronic PPI use >8 weeks without reassessment - Immunosuppression increasing infectious GI complications - H. pylori infection (most common cause of PUD worldwide) - IBD family history (10-25% have affected first-degree relative) - Celiac disease genetic predisposition (HLA-DQ2/DQ8)