INTRODUCTION TO ABDOMINAL DUPLICATION CYSTS

Duplication of the gastrointestinal tract may occur at any point along its length from esophagus to rectum. It usually manifests as a cystic mass covered with various heterotopic tissues.

Enteric duplication cysts are in immediate contact with the alimentary tract and is made up of a two-layer smooth muscle wall and an internal epithelium of digestive or respiratory type (1,2).

• Shape of cyst varies from (1):
• Spherical cysts with no communication with the bowel lumen (commonest).
• Non-communicating tubular cysts.
• Tubular communicating cysts.
• Cysts free in the peritoneal cavity with a thin mesenteric stalk (least common).
• Size of the Cyst (1).
• Spherical cysts vary from 1-10 cm.
• Tubular cysts of up to 65 cm in length have been reported (1).
• Intestinal duplications are almost always found within the mesentery.
• Peristalsis within the lesion helps to differentiate from other conditions.
• Thick muscular wall is usually present (3).

REFERENCES

1. Gross RE, Holcomb GW, Farber S. Duplications of the alimentary tract. Pediatrics 1951;9:449-468.
2. Boureau M. Intestinal duplications. In: Navarro J, Schmitz J (eds). Pediatric gastroenterology, New York, Oxford Press 1992:404-410.
3. Richards DS, Langham MR, Anderson CD. The prenatal sonographic appearance of enteric duplication cysts. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1996; :17-20.