Y-shaped duplication of the descending colon in a child: A case report and literature review

Colon duplication is a rare congenital anomaly that can involve any segment of the colon, or, in some cases, the entire colon. Among its subtypes, cystic duplication is the most common, whereas tubular duplication is exceedingly rare. We present the case of a 10-year-old girl with a 2-year history of constipation and abdominal pain, accompanied by mild periumbilical tenderness. Laboratory findings were unremarkable. Preoperative barium enema and contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated a Y-shaped colonic duplication originating from the descending colon. The patient underwent resection of the duplicated colon and recovered well postoperatively. Because the clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and physical examination are nonspecific, misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis is common. Imaging therefore plays a critical role in establishing the diagnosis and guiding surgical planning.