GASTROINTESTINAL DUPLICATION IN CHILDREN - A SERIES OF 12 CASES

Duplications of the gastro intestinal tract are characterised (Ladd an d Gross) by the following histological features two muscular layers wi th myenteric cells inside. Cystic or tubular, they are always situated on the mesenteric border of the gastro intestinal tract with a common blood supply. The pathogenesis of duplication affects early fetal dev elopment via various mechanisms. Located anywhere along the alimentary tract as in our review of 12 cases, clinical manifestations vary acco rding to the site. Abdominal cystic mass, mediastinal compression or i ntestinal obstruction bleeding or perforation are possible symptoms, b ut the presentation is very variable. The age of presentation is usual ly within the first year of life. The diagnosis can be made preoperati vely by several investigations but the malformation is frequently disc overed during surgery. Surgery is the only treatment for these duplica tions, but smaller cystics lesions are easily treated. However surgery of extensive duplications remains difficult.