Choledochal cyst: a 10-year experience

Management of Biliary Cysts in Adults: A Single-Center 10-Year Experience

BACKGROUND

A choledochal cyst is a cystic dilatation of the biliary tree, also termed a biliary cyst, including an intrahepatic cyst as well. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is the gold standard investigation of choice for this pathology. Todani classification is most commonly used to classify choledochal cysts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30 adult patients with choledochal cysts presenting at our center from December 1, 2009, to October 31, 2019, were studied retrospectively.

RESULTS

The mean age was 35.13 years ranging from 18 to 62 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1:3.29. Of the patients, 86.6% presented with abdominal pain. Total serum bilirubin was raised in six patients with a mean of 1.84 mg/dL. MRCP was done in all patients, which had almost 100% sensitivity. Two cases had anomalous pancreaticobiliary duct union. In our study, we found only type I and type IVA cysts according to the Todani classification (type IA = 56.3%, IB = 11%, 1C = 16%, and IVA = 17%). The mean size of the cyst was 2.37 cm. Complete cyst excision with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed in all patients. Four patients had surgical site infections and two had bile leaks. One patient developed hepatic artery thrombosis. All complications were eventually managed conservatively. Mortality was nil in our study with the mean postoperative stay being 7.97 days.

CONCLUSION

Adult presentation of biliary cysts is not an uncommon entity in the Indian population and should be considered as a differential diagnosis of biliary pathology in adult patients. Complete excision of cysts with bilioenteric anastomosis is the current treatment of choice.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising within choledochal cyst managed by pancreaticoduodenectomy: A case report

Introduction and importance

Choledochal cysts (CC) are rare cystic dilatation of the biliary trees. Malignancy is one of the important significant findings in CC and its incidence increases with age. Associated squamous cell carcinoma of the choledochal cyst is an uncommon pathological finding.

Case presentation

We present a 21-year-old male diagnosed with type 1 CC and planned for excision of the cystic dilated extrahepatic biliary tract with hepaticojejunal anastomosis in Roux-en-Y but underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy due to intraoperative palpable mass of CC which was adhered to the duodenum and pancreatic head. Histopathology of the excised specimen revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the choledochal cyst.

Discussion

CC represents a rare biliary cystic disease. Though infrequent, malignant transformation in CC includes cholangiocarcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and rarely SCC. The post-operative management for SCC in CC is ill-defined and carries a grave prognosis.

Conclusion

The choledochal cyst should be completely excised wherever possible to avoid the possible malignant transformation in CC including SCC.

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Associated malignancy of the Choledochal cyst (CC) is unusual and squamous cell carcinoma in CC is rare.

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An underlying malignancy should be suspected when a palpable mass in CC is found intraoperatively.

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Management of choledochal cyst can vary from cyst excision to more radical surgery like Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Diagnosis and management of choledochal cysts

Choledochal cysts are rare disease and of unknown etiology. These are typically a surgical problem of infancy and childhood, but in nearly 20 % of the patients the diagnosis is delayed until adulthood. The presentation and therapeutic strategies for choledochal cysts in adult may differ from that of childhood. The surgical management of choledochal cysts in adults is complicated by associated hepatobiliary pathology. Despite the absence of clinical trials, a consensus for the management of choledochal cysts is excision. This review examines the spectrum of hepatobiliary pathology encountered with choledochal cysts and the surgical alternatives for managing choledochal cysts based on review of relevant literature in English language indexed on MEDLINE.

Diagnosis and management of choledochal cysts

Choledochal cysts are rare disease and of unknown etiology. They are typically a surgical problem of infancy and childhood, but in nearly 20% of the patients the diagnosis is delayed until adulthood. The presentation and therapeutic strategies for choledochal cysts in adult may differ from that of childhood. The surgical management of choledochal cysts in adults is complicated by associated hepatobiliary pathology. Despite the absence of clinical trials, a consensus for the management of choledochal cysts is excision. This review examines the spectrum of hepatobiliary pathology encountered with choledochal cysts and the surgical alternatives for managing choledochal cysts based on review of relevant literature in the English language indexed on MEDLINE.