Duplication of the Terminal Ileum – A Case Review

Overview

Duplications of the gastorintestinal tract are fairly rare developmental anomalies. They may occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract, however, most commonly, they occur in the small intestine. They are usually diagnosed in early childhood, however, they may be asymptomatic first and cause symptoms as late as in adulthood. Symptoms of „urgent abdominal conditions“, ranging from symptoms of intestinal obstruction, perforation to symptoms of bleeding from the GIT, prevail. A rare finding of a carcinoma in the duplication has been recorded. The etiopathogenesis has not been fully understood. The treatment is surgical.

The authors present a case-review of the terminal ileum duplication in a child with symptoms of intestinal obstruction, resp. invagination.

Key words:
intestinal duplication – urgent abdominal condition – diagnostics – treatment