Choledochal cysts in adults

Abstract

Hypothesis: Choledochal cyst is rarely diagnosed in adulthood. When complicated by biliary tract malignancy, the disease has a distinct presentation and carries a dismal prognosis despite radical surgical resection.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Patients: A retrospective study was performed on 30 adult patients who presented with choledochal cyst from January 1, 1989, to December 31, 2000.

Main outcome measures: The clinical presentation, management, and outcome of patients with and without biliary tract malignancy.

Results: Nine patients (30%) had biliary tract malignancy complicating choledochal cyst (group A). Compared with 21 patients without malignancy (group B), group A patients had a significantly higher incidence of previous internal drainage operations for choledochal cyst (P =.049) and presentation with cholangitis (P =.03). Four patients in group A underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and 3 received a palliative biliary drainage operation. The overall median survival of patients in group A was 12 months. Complete excision of choledochal cyst and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy were performed for all patients in group B, among whom 2 underwent concomitant hemihepatectomy. The operative morbidity and mortality were 14% and 0%, respectively, and there were no long-term complications with a median follow-up of 66 months.

Conclusions: Biliary tract malignancy complicating choledochal cyst in adults should be suspected in patients with a history of internal drainage of choledochal cyst and presentation with cholangitis. Complete excision of choledochal cyst with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is the treatment of choice for patients without malignancy and can be performed with low operative morbidity and absence of long-term complications in adult patients.