Fetal large tubular oesophageal duplication cyst: A case report

TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of a large fetal oesophageal duplication cyst detected before birth and successfully treated after delivery.

Contribution

The study highlights the prenatal detection and management of a rare cervical and mediastinal tubular EDC.

Findings

A large tubular EDC was diagnosed prenatally in the third trimester.

The cyst caused postnatal respiratory distress and required surgical excision.

Early detection improved outcomes and allowed for parental counseling and multidisciplinary care planning.

Abstract

Oesophageal duplication cyst (EDC) is a rare congenital anomaly representing, after neuronal tumours, the second most common cause of posterior mass in children, with a prevalence of approximately 1/22,500 live births. Cervical cysts are very rare, and their antenatal detection is fairly uncommon.

We report the case of an isolated large mediastinal and cervical tubular EDC diagnosed prenatally in the third trimester.

After birth, the baby became symptomatic developing respiratory distress due to the enlargement of the cyst and she underwent excision of the mass. The post‐operative evolution was very good.

Our purpose was to raise awareness of the ultrasonographic features of this condition, thus improving the rate of prenatal diagnosis and offering the parents a proper counselling regarding the prognosis and the need for a further multidisciplinary approach after birth.

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