A 35-year-old woman presents with pancreatitis. Subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) reveals the congenital cystic anomaly of her biliary system illustrated in the film below. Which of the following statements regarding this problem is true?
Choledochal cysts are congenital cystic dilations of the extrahepatic biliary ducts. Intrahepatic cystic dilation can coexist (Caroli's disease), but it represents a distinct problem and is managed differently. Patients may present with symptoms at any age, but the classic triad of epigastric pain, abdominal mass, and jaundice is not frequently seen. Rather, most patients present with other conditions such as cholecystitis, cholangitis, or pancreatitis. Ultrasonography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is helpful in demonstrating cysts. Nonsurgical treatment of these cysts results in high morbidity and mortality, and therefore surgery is advised in all cases. The present recommendation is for complete resection of the cyst and Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy. Since malignant changes in choledochal cysts have been frequently described, complete resection rather than the performance of an internal drainage procedure is preferred whenever the resection can be done safely.
Treatment consists of internal drainage via choledochoduodenostomy
Malignant changes may occur within this structure
Most patients present with the classic triad of epigastric pain, an abdominal mass, and jaundice
Cystic dilation of the intrahepatic biliary tree may coexist and is managed in a similar fashion
Liver