# Fishbone perforating Meckel’s diverticulum: an acute appendicitis mimicker

## TL;DR

A fishbone caused a rare perforation in Meckel’s diverticulum, mimicking acute appendicitis and highlighting diagnostic challenges.

## Contribution

Highlights the importance of considering Meckel’s diverticulum perforation in atypical abdominal pain cases.

## Key findings

- A fishbone was found to cause perforation in Meckel’s diverticulum during surgery.
- Perforated Meckel’s diverticulum can mimic acute appendicitis, leading to diagnostic confusion.
- Surgical exploration is crucial for atypical cases to ensure accurate diagnosis.

## Abstract

Perforation of Meckel’s diverticulum by a foreign body is rare, but when it occurs, it can mimic acute appendicitis, leading to diagnostic challenges. We present a case of a 45-year-old male initially diagnosed with acute appendicitis, but intra-operative exploration revealed a perforated Meckel’s diverticulum with a fish bone. Meckel’s diverticulum perforation remains diagnostically elusive, highlighting the need for intra-operative vigilance in cases of inconsistent findings like the presence of bilious fluid in the abdominal cavity. This case report underscores the importance of considering perforated Meckel’s diverticulum in the differential diagnosis of right iliac fossa pain and the necessity of surgical exploration for atypical presentations to ensure timely diagnosis and appropriate management.