Role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of complications of Meckel's diverticula.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the possible role of colonisation of ectopic gastric mucosa in Meckel's diverticula by Helicobacter pylori in causing inflammation, ulceration, perforation and bleeding.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Three hospitals in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

MATERIAL

Specimens of 65 diverticula, 49 of which had been resected incidentally, and 16 of which had been thought to be the presenting feature.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The presence of H. pylori in gastric mucosa.

RESULTS

19 Diverticula contained ectopic tissue, 18 gastric and one pancreatic tissue. Gastric tissue was found in 10 of the diverticula removed incidentally, and 8 of those that were thought to be symptomatic. In 5 of the 8 there were signs of complications that might have been related directly to the presence of gastric tissue (perforation--n = 3; bleeding--n = 1; and peptic stenosis--n = 1), and none contained H. pylori. H. pylori was found in only one of the 18 diverticula, in which there were also signs of gastritis.

CONCLUSION

H. pylori has no role in the pathogenesis of the complications of Meckel's diverticula.