Cystic duplications of the esophagus and neurenteric cysts

Abstract

This paper reviews the past 25 years of experience with these lesions at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, during which 19 infants and children were treated. There were 8 females and 11 males. Nine of these patients were under 1 year of age at presentation, 5 were between the ages of 1 and 10 years, 5 were older than 10 years. Eleven presented with symptoms referrable to the chest, and six with predominantly neurological symptoms. Two asymptomatic children were referred because of chest masses found incidentally on chest x-rays. Fifteen chest masses were noted; the other four had neurological symptoms only. Fourteen of these 19 lesions had associated vertebral anomalies. Nine patients underwent myelograms and 8 abnormalities were demonstrated, 2 of which were neurologically asymptomatic. Four patients had both myelographic abnormalities and mediastinal masses. Two out of three technetium scans were positive. Fourteen thoracotomies and six laminectomies were carried out. Nine of the 15 chest masses contained gastric mucosa including 2 which had perforated. None of the intraspinal masses contained gastric mucosa. The long-term survival was 95%. In this series, intraspinal anomalies co-existed with mediastinal masses in almost 25% of patients and were often initially asymptomatic. It is recommended that myelography be carried out in all patients with cystic duplications of the esophagus who have vertebral anomalies. Technetium scans may be useful if the diagnosis is obscure.