References

Picture stories lined by ciliated columnar, stratified squamous or rarely gastric epithelium. Most contain a clear jelly like fluid. These cysts are extramural and share the common muscular wall of the oesophagus [2]. The oesophageal duplication cysts are commonly asymptomatic. If gastric mucosa persists it may lead to ulceration, haemorrhage and perforation. An enlarging cyst can cause dysphagia, airway obstruction and repeated lung infections. Radiographically these cysts appear as a mediastinal mass. Barium studies show a filling defect indistinguishable from common tumours such as leiomyoma. At endoscopy there is a bulge with overlying normal mucosa. If the duplication cyst communicates with the oesopagus the barium fills in a blind pouch [3]. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice [4]. Excision is done via thoracotomy or by video assisted thoracoscopy. Regular follow up of these patients is essential as impaired propulsive activity of the oesophagus due to damage to oesophageal musculature may result in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease