Duplication Cyst

What is duplication cyst?

Duplication cysts are a rare, congenital birth defect that causes an irregular mass of tissue to grow in your baby’s abdomen. Either round or tube-shaped, these cysts can appear anywhere along the digestive tract including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, the small and large intestine and anus. However, most duplication cysts are found in or near the small intestine, often sharing the same blood supply. Duplication cysts can have cells that are very much like the organs that they are attached to. For instance, cysts on the stomach can produce stomach acid. Surgery is needed to repair these problems in the gut.

What are the symptoms of duplication cyst?

Abdominal cysts are usually discovered during pregnancy when a routine ultrasound shows an abnormal growth. Your doctor may order additional imaging studies to help get more information about the size and location of your baby’s cyst including:

Fetal MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

In some cases, cysts may not be discovered until the child is older and starts to experience problems.

What are the causes of duplication cyst?

The exact cause of congenital duplication cyst is unknown.

How to treat duplication cyst?

Surgery is the most common treatment for cysts, and results are generally good. Some cysts may require more extensive surgery in order to repair complex problems involving many organs. However, some abdominal cysts will go away on their own before the baby is born or be so small that they do not require surgery.

For more information, contact Dr Ong. Book an appointment today!