Gastric Duplication Cyst in a Young Patient: A Case Report from a Tertiary Surgical Center in Western Afghanistan

Gastric duplication cysts are rare congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract, accounting for less than 5% of all alimentary tract duplications. Their nonspecific clinical presentation and variable anatomical location often delay diagnosis, particularly in low-resource settings. We present the case of a 3-year-old girl from western Afghanistan who exhibited chronic abdominal pain, poor appetite, and nausea. Ultrasonography revealed a cystic lesion adjacent to the stomach, and exploratory laparotomy confirmed a duplication cyst arising from the greater curvature, without communication with the gastric lumen. The cyst was excised completely with preservation of the stomach. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patientdemonstrated complete clinical recovery. This report highlights the critical role of clinical judgment, basic imaging, and timely surgical intervention in managing complex congenital gastrointestinal anomalies where advanced diagnostics areunavailable.