Noncommunicating gastric duplication cyst at the pylorus in a 5-year-old child: a case report.

INTRODUCTION

Gastric duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies, representing less than 9% of enteric duplication cysts. Most are discovered in infancy, some are asymptomatic, and others present with abdominal pain, gastric outlet obstruction, or a palpable mass. The best treatment is early surgical resection.

CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 5-year-old female with a history of persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, early satiety, weight loss, and palpable epigastric mass. Imaging revealed a cystic lesion obstructing the gastric outlet, consistent with a gastric duplication cyst. An exploratory laparotomy was done. The patient recovered, and histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis.

DISCUSSION: Most gastric duplication cysts are noncommunicating cysts. Diagnosis is confirmed through imaging and histology. Surgical excision, when performed early, offers an excellent prognosis as a small percentage of cysts differentiate into malignancies.

CONCLUSION

Gastric duplication cysts are very rare, and diagnosis may be missed or delayed due to nonspecific symptoms that may overlap with gastrointestinal or urinary pathologies. A high index of suspicion is necessary in patients with persistent vomiting and abdominal pain for early diagnosis and excision.