Obstructing ileal duplication cyst infected with Salmonella in a 2-year-old boy: a case report and review of the literature

Alimentary tract duplications (ATDs) are rare congenital anomalies, with an incidence of 1 in 4500 individuals. Patients with these lesions present in a variety of ways, and although histologically benign, ATDs can lead to lethal complications including volvulus, intussusception, or bowel obstruction. Irrespective of anatomical location, the epithelial lining of ATDs contains ectopic acid-secreting mucosa in more than 50% of cases, which can lead to ulceration, bleeding, or transmural erosion and perforation. We report an unusual case of a child who presented with small bowel obstruction caused by an ileal duplication cyst that had become infected with Salmonella. Although reports of infected mesenteric cysts and duodenal duplication cysts have been published, this is the first reported case of an infected ileal duplication cyst. We also present a review of the literature regarding these interesting lesions.