Abdominal Cysts and Duplications

Many intra-abdominal cystic masses are being detected by prenatal imaging. They are often asymptomatic but those that cause symptoms usually do so in the first year or two of life. Symptoms are usually the result of compression or obstruction due to enlargement of the cyst as it gradually fills with fluid, or bleeding and ulceration due to gastric or pancreatic lining of the cyst. Cysts can arise from solid or hollow organs and various imaging modalities can help to distinguish the specific site of origin. Enteric duplication cysts are sometimes associated with intestinal atresias whereas tubular colonic or rectal duplications are commonly associated with genitourinary malformations. Optimal treatment usually involves complete resection of the cyst; but in some situations asymptomatic cysts detected prenatally can be observed clinically and radiographically.