GASTRIC DUPLICATION OR PANCREATIC PSEUDO- CYST

Gastric duplication was diagnosed in a 50 year-old patient who was ini tially thought to have a pancreatic pseudo-cyst until laparotomy was p erformed. There are many clinical and radiological similarities betwee n gastric duplication and pancreatic pseudo-cyst. However, the followi ng elements can suggest the diagnosis of gastric duplication in the ca se of the discovery of a cystic mass in the gastric or pancreatic area : normal pancreatic enzyme levels, ultrasonic identification of a hype rechoic inner rim and a hypoechoic outer rim with peristaltic movement s into the cyst, visualization of a communication between the cyst and the gastrointestinal tract, and detection of associated vertebral abn ormalities. Surgical treatment of gastric duplication is only necessar y in symptomatic cases.