WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT ALIMENTARY TRACT DUPLICATIONS IN CATS?

Abstract

We constructed a scoping review of alimentary tract duplications in cats to overview its occurrence. Inclusion criteria were determined by reviewing case reports on histologically confirmed gastrointestinal duplications, including one case description of a cat diagnosed with a duodenal duplication cyst at our institution. Thirteen gastrointestinal duplication cases were analyzed, being that one animal had a bi-focal duplication, totalizing fourteen duplications. Variables considered were age, sex, breed, presenting features, anatomic location, morphology, presence of luminal communication, malignant transformation, and recurrence. About 62% (n= 8/13) of cats affected were between 4 months to 2 years old. No sex predisposition was observed and breed and presenting features were variable. Duodenal duplications corresponded to 36% (n=5/14). Cystic duplications with no lumen communication accounted for 93% (n= 13/14). One duplication was neoplastic and recurrence rate of gastrointestinal duplications amongst cats was 15% (n= 2/13). Progression to obstruction, bleeding and malignant transformation have been described in humans and cats due to gastrointestinal duplications. Considering the importance and the diagnostic challenge of this affection, we concluded that the small animal practitioner should not overlook alimentary tract duplications in the differential diagnosis of young cats with chronic vomiting and cystic intestinal masses.