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. 2021 Dec:89:106651.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.106651. Epub 2021 Dec 4.

Thoraco-abdominal duplications in children: Two case reports

Fatma Thamri  1 , Sondes Sahli  2 , Senda Houidi  2 , Bochra Aziza  2 , Riadh Jouini  2
Affiliations

Thoraco-abdominal duplications in children: Two case reports

Fatma Thamri et al. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Thoraco-abdominal duplication is rare congenital malformations of the notochord that occurs in only 2% of cases of alimentary tract duplications. We report two rare cases of thoraco-abdominal duplication, emphasizing the value of radiological assessment and discussing the place of diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy.

Presentation of case: It was a 12-year-old girl and an 8-month-old boy, admitted for epigastralgia and dysphagia with respiratory distress respectively. Imaging was in favor of pancreatic duplication with intra-thoracic extension for the first patient and gastro-esophageal duplication for the second. A mass excision was done laparoscopically for the first and by a thoracotomy for the second. The aftermath of the surgery was simple in both cases.

Clinical discussion: Thoraco-abdominal duplications are rare congenital malformations that account for only 2% of cases of gastrointestinal duplications. Their diagnosis is difficult since the revealing symptomatology is not common. The treatment is only surgical is facilitated by the laparoscopy which has a diagnostic and therapeutic interest.

Conclusion: Our case reports focused on the difficulty of the diagnosis that is done by imaging and is confirmed by surgery with anatomopathological examination of the excised mass. Diagnostic and therapeutic minimally invasive approach should be used whenever possible.

Keywords: Case report; Congenital malformation; Gastro-esophageal duplication; Minimally invasive; Pancreatic duplication; Thoracoabdominal duplication.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors don't have any conflicts of interests in relation to the work described.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Bilobed cystic intra-pancreatic formation at abdominal ultrasound (red arrow).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Thoraco-abdominal computerized tomography showing pancreatic duplication (red arrow).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Eso-gastro-duodenal transit showing lack of communication between the pancreatic duplication and the digestive tract: Red arrow: Digestive tract; yellow arrow: Pancreatic duplication.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Opacity of the posterior mediastinum extending into the abdomen at chest X-ray (red arrow).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Gastro-esophageal duplication at computerized tomography (red arrow).
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Non communicative duplication at eso-gastro-duodenal opacification: Red arrow: Duplication; yellow arrow: Digestive tract.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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