Ultrasonic echo examination as an aid in diagnosis of congenital bile duct lesions

An unusual choledochal cyst

We report a case of Caroli's disease associated with diverticulae and choledochocele of the common bile duct, a wide pancreaticobiliary angle and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. This patient presented with recurrent episodes of cholangitis. To our knowledge, such a range of findings in the same patient has not been previously reported in the English language literature.

Choledochal cyst: a 14-year surgical experience with 36 patients

The presentation and management of 36 patients with cystic dilatation of the biliary tree seen over a 14-year period is reviewed. There were 28 females and 8 males, a ratio of 3.5:1. The classic triad of jaundice, pain and an abdominal mass was seen in only seven cases. Twelve patients suffered recurrent pancreatitis. There were three cases of variceal haemorrhage from portal hypertension secondary to biliary cirrhosis, and one case of biliary peritonitis from a ruptured cyst. Internal drainage (cystenterostomy) was performed in nine patients but five of these eventually needed cyst excision. Cysts have been excised primarily in the last 21 consecutive patients without mortality. Preliminary external drainage with T tubes was used before cyst resection in three patients who presented with complications of choledochal cysts. Cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy is now the definitive treatment of choice.

Choledochal cyst with cholelithiasis: 15-yr follow-up

A 15-yr-old boy, who had had surgery for a choledochal cyst in infancy, was worked up for recurrent right upper quandrant pair. Intravenous cholangiogram and ultrasound demonstrated a choledochal cyst with stones. Angiogram showed only a distorted branch of the gastro-duodenal artery. These findings were confirmed at surgery.

Choledochal cyst: a review of 19 cases

Nineteen cases of choledochal cyst are reviewed. Two distinct groups of patients were identified. Patients under one year of age, initially diagnosed as having biliary atresia, had a higher mortality rate, a higher incidence of severe cirrhosis with portal hypertension, and associated atresia or stenosis in the biliary tree. The second group, presenting between 3 and 20 years of age with more classic symptoms, had mild cirrhosis without portal hypertension and had associated choledocholithiasis and pancreatitis. It is suggested that the younger patients had a congenital form of cystic bile duct dilatation and that the older patients had an acquired form, perhaps related to a common channel with reflux of pancreatic juice into the common bile duct. Postoperative follow-up supports the current view that choledochocyst-jejunostomy with choleystectomy has a lower rate of long-term complications than does choledochocyst-duodenostomy.