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Duodenal Duplication Cysts in Children: Clinical Features and Current Treatment Choices
Valeria Dipasquale1, Paolo Barraco1, Simona Faraci2
1Pediatric Gastroenterology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood G. Barresi, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Insights
Duodenal duplication cysts in children are rare but can cause serious issues like pancreatitis. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to successful outcomes and improved quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Congenital Malformations
Background:
- Duodenal duplication cysts are uncommon congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Symptoms typically manifest within the first decade of life, necessitating timely intervention.
- This review focuses on the clinical aspects, management, and outcomes of these cysts in pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical presentation, management strategies, and outcomes of duodenal duplication cysts in children.
- To provide insights into the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic approaches for pediatric duodenal duplication cysts.
- To emphasize the importance of early recognition for successful treatment and improved patient quality of life.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed/Medline for articles published since 1999.
- Keywords included "duodenal duplication cyst," "child," and "newborn."
- Data on clinical symptoms, complications, diagnostics, treatments, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Analysis of 45 cases from 41 citations revealed a presentation age range from newborn to 18 years.
- Abdominal pain was the most common symptom (67%), with 43% of cases experiencing pancreatitis.
- The median diagnostic and treatment interval was 17 months, highlighting potential delays.
Conclusions:
- Duodenal duplication cysts can lead to severe complications and recurrent symptoms, significantly impacting a child's quality of life.
- Early identification of suggestive signs and symptoms is crucial for effective treatment.
- This review aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce the risk of delayed diagnosis for duodenal duplication cysts in children.
Background:
Duodenal duplication cysts are rare gastrointestinal tract malformations. Most patients experience symptom onset in the first decade of life. This review aims to examine clinical presentation, management strategies and outcomes of duodenal duplication cysts in childhood.
Methods:
A Pubmed/Medline (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) search in October 2019 for articles published since 1999 using the keywords "duodenal duplication cyst," "child" and "newborn" was carried out. Clinical symptoms, complications, diagnostic examinations, treatment options and outcomes were analyzed and tabulated.
Results:
There were 41 citations in the literature providing adequate descriptions of 45 cases of duodenal duplication cysts. The age of presentation ranged from newborn to 18 years. The median interval between initial presentation and definitive diagnosis and treatment was 17 months (range: 2 months to 12 years). Overall, 67% of cases presented with abdominal pain, and 43% were complicated with pancreatitis. Different surgical and endoscopic therapeutic strategies were reported.
Conclusions:
Duodenal duplication cysts may be associated with life-threatening complications and/or recurrent symptoms, impairing quality of life. Early recognition of patients who demonstrate suggestive signs and symptoms is important to ensure success of treatment. This review may be useful to highlight the main diagnostic aspects and limit the risk of a delayed diagnosis.
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