Abstract

Duplications of gastrointestinal tract are rare congenital anomalies. The small intestine is the most common site. The diagnosis is usually made before two years. Clinical presentation is non-specific and variable according to location, size and the type of mucosal lining. In this study, we present asymptomatic, incidentally diagnosed two cases of tubular ileal duplications and review the literature.

Two patients, aged 17 and 10, presented with signs of acute abdomen, and their ultrasonographies of abdomen demonsrated appendicitis, so they underwent surgery. During exploration gangreneous and perforated apppendicitis were diagnosed. Appendectomies were performed. At that time, 40 cm and 80 cm from the ileocecal valve, 6 cm and 8 cm length communicating with proximal end tubular ileal duplications were found. Both duplications were resected with portion of the adjacent ileum and intestinal continuity restored by end-to-end anastomosis. Histopathologic studies showed ileal duplications that did not contain any ectopic tissue.

We conclude that, ileal duplications despite their continuity with the proximal end can be asymptomatic due to lack of ectopic mucosa.