Subdiaphragmatic Esophageal Duplication Cyst in a Child

ABSTRACT

An enteric duplication cyst is an unusual, benign congenital lesion of uncertain etiology. Duplications may be located anywhere along the alimentary tract from the mouth to the anus. Esophageal duplication cysts account for 10~15% of all duplications, and combined autopsy series have estimated an incidence of 1 in 8,200. They can occur in any position related to the esophagus, but are most common in the lower third arising from the embryonic foregut, and are represented by a common spectrum of derivatives, such as bronchogenic cysts and ciliated hepatic foregut cysts. Many cases of esophageal duplication cysts have been reported, nearly all of which were either completely or partially within the thoracic cavity. However, reports of complete intra-abdominal cysts, so called subdiaphragmatic esophageal duplication cysts, are rare, especially in children. Herein, we report such a case that occurred in a 10-year-old boy, where a duplication cyst arose from the lower esophagus, remaining entirely confined within the abdomen of a child. The boy presented with a 2 month history of intermittent epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting. After surgical excision, the symptoms disappeared, with the diagnosis confirmed by histologic examination and fitting to the pathological criteria.