Duplication of the Transverse Colon: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Duplications of the alimentary tract are rare congenital malformations and accurate diagnosis is difficult. Duplications can occur at any level in the gastrointestinal tract. Ileal duplications are the most common while colonic duplications are rare. Duplications are usually single, vary widely in size, are more often spherical than tubular and are lined by alimentary tract mucosa. They usually share a common smooth muscle wall and blood supply with the adjacent bowel, with which they may be communicated. Some duplications are asymptomatic but more than 80% of cases present before age of 2 years. Recently, we have experienced a case of duplication of the transverse colon in 9-year old female patient without any other combined anomaly. The chief complaint were palpable abdominal mass, defecational difficulty and intermittent cramping pain of abdomen. The duplication of the transverse colon was diagnosed at operation. A left hemicolectomy was performed with complete resection of duplicated bowel. We report a case of colonic duplication and review the literature.