Case Report
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World J Gastrointest Surg. Jun 27, 2014; 6(6): 112-116
Published online Jun 27, 2014. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v6.i6.112
Intra-abdominal esophageal duplication cyst: A case report and review of the literature
Petrus Sebastianus Simon Castelijns, Karlijn Woensdregt, Brigiet Hoevenaars, Gelde Arie Pieter Nieuwenhuijzen
Petrus Sebastianus Simon Castelijns, Karlijn Woensdregt, Gelde Arie Pieter Nieuwenhuijzen, Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, 5623 EJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Brigiet Hoevenaars, Department of Pathology, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, 5623 EJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Author contributions: Nieuwenhuijzen GAP performed the surgical operation and revised the paper; Hoevenaars B performed pathological examinations; Castelijns PSS and Woensdregt K wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Karlijn Woensdregt, MD, Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, Michelangelolaan 2, 5623 EJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. karlijn.woensdregt@catharinaziekenhuis.nl
Telephone: +31-40-2399111 Fax: +31-40-2443370
Received: October 26, 2013
Revised: April 17, 2014
Accepted: June 10, 2014
Published online: June 27, 2014
Processing time: 266 Days and 24 Hours
Abstract

Intra-abdominal esophageal duplications are rare entities in adults. They are mostly asymptomatic, but since they can lead to complications surgical excision is advised for all duplication cysts. We present a case of a 20-year-old male with colic-like abdominal pain, mimicking symptoms of cholecystolithiasis. However after cholecystectomy the symptoms were still present. A computed tomography-scan of the abdomen and an endoscopic ultrasound revealed a cyst of the esophagus of 3.0 cm × 2.3 cm in size. Diagnostic laparoscopy was planned, during which we observed a para-esophageal cyst at the gastro-esophageal junction. Laparoscopic excision of this cyst was performed. Pathophysiological examination revealed an esophageal duplication cyst. We report a rare case of a symptomatic intra-abdominal esophageal duplication cyst in an adult. One must consider this diagnosis when more common diagnoses to account for the patient’s symptoms are excluded. Removal of duplication cysts can be done laparoscopically.

Keywords: Esophageal duplication cyst; Intra-abdominal; Symptomatic; Laparoscopy

Core tip: Intra-abdominal esophageal duplication cysts are rare entities in adults, especially when they are symptomatic. Since these anomalies can lead to complications surgical excision is advised for all of them. We present a case of a 20-year-old male with colic-like abdominal pain, mimicking symptoms of cholecystolithiasis, but caused by an intra-abdominal duplication cyst of the esophagus. The cyst was excised laparoscopically. The procedure was uneventful and the patient was free of symptoms. This case shows that one must consider the diagnosis of a symptomatic intra-abdominal esophageal duplication cyst when more common diagnoses to account for the patient’s symptoms are excluded.