Alimentary Tract Duplications KATIE W
39 Alimentary Tract Duplications KATIE W. RUSSELL and GEORGE W. HOLCOMB III Alimentary tract duplications have been described for hun- distention, pain, obstruction, intussusception, bleeding, dreds of years, and multiple terms have been used in the perforation, respiratory compromise, or as a painless mass. literature. The term duplication of the alimentary tract was Generally, symptoms are related to size, location, and the coined by William Ladd in 1937.1 He described three com- presence of heterotopic mucosa. With advances in prenatal mon findings: a well-developed smooth muscle coat, an imaging, many of these masses are being diagnosed in utero epithelial lining, and attachment to the alimentary tract. (Fig. 39.1) and the majority are discovered before 2 years In 1952 Gross et al. reported the first large series describ- of age.4,5,15 A recent study from the Children’s Hospital of ing 67 patients with these findings.2 These duplications are Philadelphia (CHOP) found that 58% of duplications were relatively rare congenital anomalies found anywhere from diagnosed prenatally over a 25-year period.16 The major- the mouth to the anus with an incidence reported to be 1 in ity of duplications are cystic (Fig. 39.2), and the remaining 4500 births.3 Presentation is variable, and resection is usu- are tubular (Fig. 39.3). The ileum and jejunum are the most ally recommended in order to prevent worsening symptoms commonly affected locations, followed by the esophagus.5 or malignant transformation. The epithelial lining is usually native to the surrounding enteric tract, but heterotopic mucosa is found in approxi- mately one-third of duplications.5 Gastric tissue is the most Embryology common type of ectopic mucosa, followed by pancreatic tis- sue, and there are reports of respiratory epithelium being Alimentary tract duplications take many forms, and one found as well (Fig.
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