An epigastric mass? And what if it was an intra-abdominal esophageal duplication cyst: Case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Duplication of the alimentary tract are uncommon congenital malformations that may be found anywhere from mouth to anus. Esophageal cystic duplication is a congenital cystic malformation of the alimentary tract consisting of a duplication of the segment of the esophagus to which it is adjacent. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 29-year-old female who had complained of intermittent epigastric pain and post prandial nausea for several weeks. Physical examination was without particularity except for the presence of abdominal epigastric mass. Transabdominal sonography combined with CT scan showed an epigastric cyst with no topographic relation to the pancreas measuring about 80 mm in diameter. Because of persistence of the epigastric pain and the nausea we decided to operate the patient. Histological exam than showed that the cystic mass was in fact an esophageal cystic duplication with no histological signs of malignancy. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Here we describe a case of intra-abdominal esophageal duplication cyst in adult patient. Most of duplications cause symptoms in infancy or early childhood. Digestive duplication revealed at adulthood is a condition considered rare. CONCLUSION: Esophageal duplication cysts are uncommon developmental lesions arising from the primitive foregut, when diagnosed or encountered incidentally. The diagnosis of this anomaly in adulthood is exceptional and requires surgery.