# Cystic duplication of lower esophagus in children case report

**Authors:** Boumediene Abou-Bekr, Dalila Boumeslout, Nassima Azzouz, Faiza Bouhmama, Yamina Ouadah

PMC · DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.111481 · 2025-06-11

## TL;DR

A 12-year-old boy with chest pain and difficulty swallowing was diagnosed with a rare cystic duplication of the lower esophagus and required surgical treatment.

## Contribution

This case report adds to the limited literature on esophageal duplication in children and highlights the importance of early diagnosis and surgical intervention.

## Key findings

- Cystic duplication of the lower esophagus is rare and can present with chest pain and dysphagia.
- Diagnosis was confirmed using CT scan, endoscopy, and esophageal transit.
- Surgical intervention is necessary to prevent complications.

## Abstract

Esophageal duplication is a rare form of digestive duplication. This congenital malformation may remain silent or manifest itself by respiratory signs such as compression.

We reported 1 case of esophageal duplication. This was a 12-year-old male child born at term, admitted to our level for chest pain and dysphagia evolving for 4 months. Upon further evaluation, fluid formation at the level of the right lower esophageal latero medial mediastinum was discovered and surgical intervention was necessary. The final diagnosis was an esophageal duplication cyst.

Esophageal duplications are rare and represent 15 to 20 % of digestive duplications, often manifesting by respiratory and digestive signs, thus complicating the diagnosis. Imaging, including CT, esophageal transit or fibroscopy, consists of identifying the extent of the formation. Surgery is necessary in all cases before serious complications appear.

The Cystic duplication of lower esophagus are rare and often pose a problem for positive diagnosis. Their treatment is surgical and must be undertaken before the onset of complications.

•Esophageal duplication is a rare form of digestive duplication.•This is a 12-year-old male child admitted to our level for chest pain and dysphagia lasting 4 months.•A chest CT scan and an upper digestive endoscopy + esophageal transit are used to make the diagnosis.•Treatment is surgical and must be undertaken before complications appear.

Esophageal duplication is a rare form of digestive duplication.

This is a 12-year-old male child admitted to our level for chest pain and dysphagia lasting 4 months.

A chest CT scan and an upper digestive endoscopy + esophageal transit are used to make the diagnosis.

Treatment is surgical and must be undertaken before complications appear.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** chest pain (MESH:D002637), esophageal duplication cyst (MESH:D004934), duplication of lower esophagus (MESH:D004938), dysphagia (MESH:D003680), Esophageal duplication (MESH:D004941)

## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12205607/full.md

---
Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12205607