A Meckel scan is performed to detect a Meckel diverticulum, a congenital abnormality of the small intestine, and is usually for pediatric patients diagnosed with congenital abnormality of the ileum, which sometimes continues to the umbilicus with fistula formation. The uptake of ^99mTc pertechnetate occurs in the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa and is detected by the gamma camera. Meckel diverticulum shows uptake in the distal portion of the ileum. This anomaly contains secretory cells similar to those of gastric mucosa. An alternative radiopharmaceutical, ^99mTc-labeled RBCs, may be considered in cases of suspected bleeding sites associated with the diverticulum.

1. Have the patient lie supine and inject with the radiopharmaceutical.

2. Start the camera immediately with a series of static images obtained at 5-minute intervals for 30 minutes.

3. Obtain extra spot views as requested by the healthcare provider.

4. See Chapter 1 guidelines for safe, effective, informed intratest care.

1. Abnormal results reveal rectal bleeding, the most common symptom of Meckel diverticulum. Meckel diverticulum can occur with or without abdominal symptoms.

2. If Meckel diverticulum is left undetected and untreated, ulceration of the ileum may occur, and strangulation may cause intestinal obstruction.

Pretest Patient Care

1. See standard pretest care for NMI of pediatric patients. Explain the purpose and procedures of the examination to the parents. The child should be fasting. Other diagnostic procedures involving the GI tract and medications affecting the intestines should be avoided for 2–3 days before the examination. This is especially true of lower and upper GI x-ray procedures.

2. Have the child void immediately before the examination, if possible.

Normal

Normal blood pool distribution and clearance of the radioactive tracer into the duodenum and jejunum