Multiple level enteric duplication cysts in a cat

Abstract

Summary Enteric duplication is a rare congenital abnormality, affecting people, dogs and cats. The present report documents an original case of bi-focal duplication cysts of the digestive tract in a six-month-old cat presented for chronic vomiting and dyspnea. A cranial abdominal mass and a caudo-dorsal thoracic mass were identified, by palpation and radiographically, respectively. Their ultrasonographic examination was consistent with fluid-filled cysts. Their cytological examination revealed squamous epithelial cells in an amorphous aseptic fluid. CT-scan confirmed the presence of a mass adjacent to the caudal esophagus and a mass adjacent to the duodenum, without obvious communication with the lumen of the adjacent digestive tract. The cysts were surgically subtotally removed via laparotomy and radial trans-diaphragmatic thoracotomy, and their remnants were omentalized. The cat recovered well from surgery, and clinical signs resolved transiently. One year later, recurrence of the esophageal cyst prompted for another surgery. No cyst was present on the duodenum. The histological examination of excised masses was consistent with duplication cysts of esophagus and duodenum, exhibiting histological characteristics of the enteric portion from where they were originated.