[Intrathoracic gastric duplication with intrapulmonary abscesses and perforation into the bronchial...

Gastric and enteric cysts represent genuine duplications. With regard to their genesis opinions are divided. These duplications may perforate into the lung parenchyma and/or the bronchial system, giving rise to specific symptoms. The only possible therapy is complete extirpation. The intrapulmonary metastases are drained and aspirated and can be cured without loss of lung tissue. A report is given on a thoracic cystic gastric duplication with haemorrhagic inflammation of the mucous membrane associated with erosions in a 8-week old boy. Clinically, the duplication was reflected by poor general health, dyspnea and tachypnea. The perforation into the bronchial system caused respiratory insufficiency. Using antibiotic therapy, immune substitution and surgery in combination, the boy was cured. The morphological findings, causative embryological factors, and diagnostic possibilities and problems are discussed.