Paediatric duplication cyst Treatment at ALSA
Duplication cysts refer to the lesions that occur anywhere on the gastrointestinal tract – from the mouth to the anus. The cyst may occur at any location from the mouth to the anus. It is a congenital condition; that has existed since birth. 1 in 4500 newborns suffers from the condition. Further, the prevalence varies depending upon the location of the cyst. However, the cysts occur most commonly in the ileum of the small intestine, followed by the esophagus, jejunum, colon, stomach, and appendix. Consequently, 80% of the Paediatric duplication cyst are gastric, whereas 20% occur along the stomach lines. However, we serve you the duplication cyst treatment in Pakistan with promised results, whatever the cyst type may be.
What is a duplication cyst?
A duplication cyst refers to a malformation that may be contained in the GI tract wall or maybe irrelevant. The cysts vary greatly in size, from 2.0cm to giant cysts, location, presentation, and symptoms. However, the expert Paediatricians characterize the condition depending on the following condition;
- The outgrowth contains a well-developed coat of smooth muscle.
- The epithelial lining must represent a portion of the alimentary canal.
- The Paediatric duplication cyst typically exists in intimate attachment with a portion of the GI tract.
Notably, duplication cyst causes in infants are not known yet. Although, research studies indicate that the cysts may form due to abnormal growth of the baby during the 4th – 8th week of pregnancy.
Duplication cyst symptoms in newborns
The cysts may be asymptomatic or symptomatic, depending upon the variations. Most duplication cysts indicate some symptoms within two years after birth. However, it is asymptomatic in adults and is diagnosed during routine physical examination.
The symptoms may be directly due to the swelling of the cyst or its compression on the neighboring organs. Furthermore, Duplication cyst symptoms in newborns vary depending upon the size, location, and type making the differential diagnosis quite a task. The general manifestation of cysts may be characterized by;
- Large neck/abdominal/ palpable mass Cough
- Epigastric/Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Blood in stools
- Obstruction symptoms
- Dyspnea
- Dysphagia
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
If your child exhibits any of the above-mentioned symptoms, all you need to do is to rush to ALSA Pakistan for the proper diagnosis and apt treatment for the condition. The prompt action is vital to your child’s health because if left untreated, it may lead to significant morbidity, life-threatening complications, and even mortality—for example, abrupt hemorrhage.
Diagnosis of Paediatric Duplication Cyst
Due to characteristic variations of infantile duplication cysts, we have established a well-equipped diagnostic facility for the duplication cyst. Typically, it is diagnosed during prenatal ultrasound. However, it may be diagnosed later in life via radiological testing if it is not evident during gestation. Our expert Paediatrician utilize the following approaches for a detailed and apt diagnosis.
- X-ray
- Ultrasound – elective
- Computed Tomography – CT scan
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging – MRI
- Upper endoscopy/ colonoscopy
- ERCP / MRCP – a noninvasive alternative for small babies
- Cystorgram
- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), especially in case of biliary obstruction or pancreatitis
Diagnosis of Paediatric Duplication Cyst
Primarily, the choice of the duplication cyst treatment at ALSA Pakistan depends upon the location, size of the cyst, and its association with the surrounding anatomical structures. Therefore, the Paediatricians keep most asymptomatic cysts under observation until they cause any clinical complications.
If diagnosed with asymptomatic lesions or cysts during an antenatal ultrasound, our experts recommend getting your child to the facility immediately for the best duplication cyst treatment in Pakistan. Paediatricians prefer paediatric duplication cyst surgery at this stage to avoid malignant transformation, hemorrhage, volvulus, and intussusception.
Furthermore, an early Paediatric duplication cyst surgery is the most preferred treatment for the symptomatic cyst. However, the surgical approach again differs depending upon the morphology of the cyst, especially its interaction with the surroundings.
The experts suggest endoscopy therapy as the most suitable approach for the cysts in an intimate attachment with the bowel. Hence, the surgeons avoid extensive surgery to reduce the incidence of complications due to resection of the native bowel during surgical resection of the cyst.
On the other hand, the best institute for surgical care, ALSA Pakistan, offers you the minimally invasive approach for the resection of Paediatric duplication cyst, laparoscopic or thoracoscopic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes duplication cysts formation?
The exact cause of duplication cyst formation is yet unknown. However, this condition is congenital, which means cysts are formed before the baby is born. It is a rare genetic anatomical abnormality that affects 1 in 4500 babies. Importantly, no other health issues are related to the duplication cysts, due to which these are primarily asymptomatic.
Can duplication cysts disappear?
Surgery is the most recommended approach to deal with duplication cysts in symptomatic cases. However, some cysts may require extensive surgery to repair the damage that involves the other organs. However, it has also been reported that some cysts go away and do not require surgery.
Is surgery necessary for duplication cysts?
Surgical resection of the alimentary canal duplication cyst is the primary treatment in most cases. Surgery is recommended for all symptomatic patients. Depending upon the cysts, some complex cases may also require extensive surgeries. It may be an open laparotomy, thoracotomy, or minimally invasive laparoscopic or thoracoscopic surgery. However, excellent outcomes have been reported after the surgery.
How long it takes to recover from the surgery?
It depends upon the treatment approach that your doctor chooses. However, the patient recovers from the surgery within a few weeks.
Can a duplication cyst be cancerous?
Duplication cysts are mostly asymptomatic and are primarily diagnosed incidentally. However, duplication cysts rarely turn out to be cancerous
Can duplication cysts cause any significant issues?
Duplication cysts are rare abnormalities usually diagnosed within the first some years of life. However, delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis may result in complications such as bleeding, perforation, and infection.