Mediastinum

Cystic lesions

Enteric (esophageal) duplication cyst



Last author update: 1 December 2012
Last staff update: 15 August 2022

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PubMed Search: Enteric cyst

Hanni Gulwani, M.B.B.S.
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Cite this page: Gulwani H. Enteric (esophageal) duplication cyst. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/mediastinumentericcyst.html. Accessed March 19th, 2024.
Definition / general
  • Children or teens, with cysts usually in posterior mediastinum, due to developmental defect from fusion of tracheoesophageal septum
  • Gastric cysts may produce acid and rupture or hemorrhage
Clinical features
  • Associated with vertebral anomalies (hemivertebrae, spina bifida)
  • Leaky cysts are associated with pleural effusion or pulmonary consolidation
  • Paraesophageal cysts are associated with dysphagia or subnormal weight gain
  • Gastroesophageal cysts are associated with cough, vomiting, fever, pneumonia, empyema
Case reports
Gross description
  • 2 - 10 cm, rounded or irregular, with fibromuscular wall of variable thickness
  • Usually unilocular but may be multiloculated
  • Smooth inner lining, often mucoid contents
Microscopic (histologic) description
  • Squamous, simple columnar, pseudostratified columnar or mixed epithelial lining, usually with some gastric glandular mucosa, overlying a double layer of smooth muscle
  • No cholesterol granulomas, no cartilage
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