Meckel’s Scan
Finds the stomach-type lining that causes painless bleeding.
What is Meckel’s Scan?
A tracer that is taken up by stomach-type lining is given through a vein. If a Meckel’s diverticulum contains that lining — which is what causes the bleeding — it shows up as a spot on the scan.
- Normal
- The problem
Why It Is Asked For
This test is requested only when the answer would change what we do next.
- Painless passage of dark red blood in the stool in a young child
- Unexplained anaemia from repeated small bleeds
- Because ultrasound cannot reliably find a Meckel’s diverticulum
Before the Day
- Fasting for a few hours is usually asked for
- Certain medicines are given beforehand to improve the accuracy of the scan
- Allow around two hours
On the Day
- A cannula and a small tracer injection
- The child lies under the camera for 30 to 60 minutes
- Painless apart from the cannula
What the Results Show
- A focus of uptake away from the stomach suggests a Meckel’s diverticulum
- A negative scan does not completely exclude it, since not all contain stomach-type lining
- Results are discussed together with the clinical picture
Is It Safe?
- A small radiation dose
- The tracer is passed out naturally
- No sedation is usually needed
Common Questions
If your question is not here, send it on WhatsApp and the hospital team will answer.
Dr. Pratheep Samraj
Consultant Paediatric & Neonatal Surgeon · Palliyadi, Kanyakumari
Super-specialist surgical care for newborns, infants and children, with expertise in paediatric urology, congenital anomalies, gastro-intestinal surgery and minimally invasive surgery.
Painless bleeding in a child is worth scanning for.
The scan finds the stomach-type lining that causes it, and removing the pouch cures it for good. Bring the haemoglobin trend and any previous endoscopy reports.
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