Prenatal sonographic features of esophageal and ileal duplications at 18 weeks of gestation

Abstract

We present a case of esophageal and ileal duplications at 18 weeks of gestation. Transabdominal ultrasonography of the fetus showed multiple cystic masses of 12 to 17 mm in diameter and continuity with each other in the abdomen and a unilocular cystic mass of 15 mm in diameter in the posterior mediastinum. The cystic mass filled the abdominal cavity with signs of intestinal obstruction. The thoracic cystic mass was tubular, sausage-shaped and behind the heart, which was displaced to the antero-lateral wall of the chest. Amniocentesis revealed a normal fetal karyotype 46,XY. Peristaltic movements in the abdominal cystic structure at 30 weeks of gestation suggested dilated intestinal loops. Follow-up ultrasound examinations showed polyhydramnios with amniotic fluid index of 30 cm and gradual enlargement of the cystic structures to 50 mm in the abdomen and 30 mm in the posterior mediastinum at 38 weeks of gestation. A male infant weighing 3900 g was delivered. Postnatal ultrasonographic examination and the findings of magnetic resonance imaging also suggested enteric duplication cysts. Prenatal diagnosis allowed prompt neonatal evaluation and surgical treatment of the esophageal and the ileal duplications, which was confirmed by pathological examination.

Multiple Enteric Duplication Cysts in a Twin Fetus : Diagnosis and Management = الكيسات المعوية المضاعفة المتعددة في جنين توأم : التشخيص و العلاج

“…Antenatal scans have been reported to identify only 20-30% of such cases, and ours was one of these cases. 5,6 The neonate in this case was symptomatic for bowel obstruction from the first day of life and a plain X-ray of the abdomen supported the clinical diagnosis.…”

Enteric duplication cyst resembling umbilical cord cyst

“…3 Sonographic findings highly suggestive of an intestinal origin of the cyst are peristaltic muscular contractions of the cyst wall and intimate contact of the cyst wall with the mesenteric border. 8,9 However, the prenatal diagnosis of ED is difficult and rarely reported. 3,7,8 In most cases, an abdominal cyst was seen but the exact diagnosis could only be ascertained after birth.…”

“…8,9 However, the prenatal diagnosis of ED is difficult and rarely reported. 3,7,8 In most cases, an abdominal cyst was seen but the exact diagnosis could only be ascertained after birth. 8 Prenatal sonography only identifies approximately one in four of these lesions (20 to 30%).…”

“…3,7,8 In most cases, an abdominal cyst was seen but the exact diagnosis could only be ascertained after birth. 8 Prenatal sonography only identifies approximately one in four of these lesions (20 to 30%). 3 In our case, an umbilical cord cyst was diagnosed because prenatal sonography showed a cystic mass within the umbilical cord without evidence of relation or communication with the bowel.…”

Tubular duplication of the esophagus

“…[7][8][9] Tubular esophageal duplication can be associated with other anomalies such ileal duplication cyst and bronchogenic cyst. [10,11] However, in this case the additional esophagus was blind ended and there was no accompanied anomaly. The most commonly affected sites of tubular duplication are the mid and lower third of the esophagus, [12] however, the duplication in this patient involved the proximal esophagus.…”