Persistence of the omphalomesenteric duct: another cause of acute abdomen

The omphalomesenteric or vitelline duct is an embryonic structure that communicates the yolk sac with the midgut, obliterating between 5-9 weeks of intrauterine life. Persistence of the omphalomesenteric duct, which can exist in up to 2% of population, is a congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract that can present as abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, or gastrointestinal bleeding.