Congenital malformations of the digestive tract: thoraco-abdominal intestinal duplication – case report

Introduction. Intestinal duplications are rare congenital anomalies, with an estimated incidence of 1/4500-1/10,000 births. They may occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly in the terminal ileum. Multiple thoraco-abdominal forms are exceptionally rare and challenging to diagnose prenatally. Case presentation. We report the case of a male neonate born from an unmonitored pregnancy, who appeared healthy at birth but was postnatally diagnosed with an extensive thoraco-abdominal intestinal duplication. Postnatal ultrasound and CT imaging revealed a subhepatic cystic lesion and a retroperitoneal tubular duplication extending into the thoracic cavity through a diaphragmatic defect. The patient underwent complete surgical excision of the lesions, with an uneventful postoperative course. Histopathology confirmed bilateral thoraco-abdominal intestinal duplication. Conclusions. This case underscores the rarity of multiple thoraco-abdominal intestinal duplications and the challenges associated with delayed diagnosis in the absence of prenatal monitoring. Early prenatal detection, interdisciplinary management and prompt surgical intervention are crucial for optimal neonatal outcomes.