Introduction:
The etiology for intestinal obstruction is often difficult to determine especially in a young patient with a virgin abdomen. Differential diagnosis may include congenital abnormalities such as a more common Meckel's diverticulum but also a rarer mesenteric type internal hernia. Although the definite diagnosis is not as important in an acute setting and diagnosis is often made postoperatively, the preoperative differential diagnosis including the two should be considered for successful management.
Presentation of case:
We report a case of a 16-year-old young female who has a history of abdominal complaints but treated successfully conservatively. She eventually presented to us with suspicion of intestinal obstruction and image study confirmed an internal hernia. Operative findings showed a Meckel's diverticulum with tip adherent leading to the strangulation of a Treves' field pouch hernia. The encapsulated small bowel resulted in an intestinal obstruction of the terminal ileum.
Discussion:
Meckel's diverticulum is a common congenital abnormality but often asymptomatic. Treves' field of the mesentery is also a congenital abnormality but a much rarer finding often only impressed if herniation of the bowel is involved. However, both can lead to an abdominal emergency.
Conclusion:
Intestinal obstruction is often an emergent situation and prompt surgery is usually required. The exact etiology may not be obvious preoperatively especially in a young patient with a virgin abdomen, but differential diagnosis like Meckel's diverticulum and Treves' filed hernia should be important for successful management.