Understanding Meckel Scan (Child)

A Meckel scan is an imaging test used to detect a Meckel diverticulum. This is a small, abnormal pocket in the wall of a child’s small intestine.

What is a Meckel diverticulum?

When a baby is growing in the womb, its gastrointestinal tract is forming. A small duct forms off an area of what will become the small intestine. The baby’s body gets rid of this duct very early when it's growing in the womb, but in some cases, it doesn’t. This results in a small pouch or pocket off part of the small intestine. This is called a Meckel diverticulum. It's not common. It often has the same tissue as that of the stomach or pancreas, which then may cause bleeding.

Why might I need a Meckel scan done?

Many children with a Meckel diverticulum never have any symptoms from it. Your child may need a Meckel scan if they have symptoms like pain in the belly or blood in their stool. The healthcare provider may advise a Meckel scan if other tests haven’t found the cause of your child’s symptoms.

How is a Meckel scan done?

A Meckel scan can help find this abnormal tissue. During the scan, a substance called technetium-99m is given through an IV (intravenous) line into a vein. This substance has a tiny amount of radioactive material in it. Stomach tissue absorbs most of this substance. A special camera called a gamma camera can detect the radiation. It takes a series of pictures of your child’s abdomen. The camera will show if there is a Meckel diverticulum in your child’s small intestine.

What are the risks of a Meckel scan?

All procedures have some risks. The risks of a Meckel scan are minimal and may include a small amount of bleeding where the IV was inserted.

A Meckel scan does use radiation. But it uses only a tiny dose, about the same as a chest X-ray. In high doses, radiation is dangerous and raises the risk for cancer. The amount of radiation from a single Meckel scan is so small that it likely does not really increase your child’s risk for cancer. Your child’s healthcare provider will advise a Meckel scan only if the risks of not getting a scan are greater than any possible risks from radiation. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.