CASE REPORT   

Journal of Radiological Review 2021 December;8(4):344-8

DOI: 10.23736/S2723-9284.21.00153-4

Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Intestinal duplication cyst: a rare cause of neonatal bowel obstruction

Divina D’AURIA ¹ ✉, Dolores FERRARA ², Annachiara CARDAMONE ³, Domenico NOVIELLO ², Gioconda ARGENZIANO ², Massimo ZECCOLINI ², Francesco ESPOSITO ⁴

¹ Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; ² Unit of Radiology, AORN Santobono-Pausilipon Children Hospital, Naples, Italy; ³ Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; ⁴ Unit of Emergency Radiology, AORN Santobono-Pausilipon Children Hospital, Naples, Italy

Intestinal duplication cysts are rare congenital abnormalities that may arise anywhere along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the oral cavity to the anus. The terminal ileum is the most common location, colic frame localization is rarer. Only in a few cases, there is acute abdomen and bowel obstruction at presentation. More than 80% of all cases occur before two years of age. Based on the reduced width of intestinal loops of newborns, small duplication cysts may also generate striking scenarios. Imaging plays a crucial role in order to provide an adequate management. Abdominal or thoracic X-ray and ultrasound (US) are the first-level examinations. US, when performed by a skilled operator and with the use of proper probes, may be a highly effective and reliable tool, obviating the need for second-level procedures. Total surgical excision is the gold standard treatment. We described the case of a duplication of the last ileal loop that obstructed a 4-month-old girl who comes to our observation, in an emergency, for vomit and globose abdomen. The aim of this study was to highlight the role that ultrasonography can have for a timely diagnosis of intestinal duplication cysts, orienting a suitable therapeutic approach.

KEY WORDS: Digestive system abnormalities; Cysts; Congenital abnormalities; Radiography; Ultrasonography