[Anomaly of the pancreatico-biliary junction and etiology of choledochal cysts]

Abstract

The etiology of choledochal cysts isn't yet clarified unequivocably. Numerous theories have been worked out. One of them is the 1969 by Babbitt postulated "common-channel"-theory, which is based on an anomaly of the pancreaticobiliary connection. In case of a fusion of ductus choledochus and ductus pancreaticus widely before the papilla of Vater and the formation of a common channel with a minimum length of 15 mm the reflux of pancreatic secretion into the off-leading biliary ducts may occur and choledochal cysts may develop. In order to check up this hypothesis we evaluated retrospectively pictures of a direct cholangiography (ERCP, PTC and/or intraoperative cholangiography) of 26 patients suffering from type I, IV and V ectasias of the biliary ducts according to Todani. We found a common channel with an abnormal length in 8 of 12 patients suffering from extrahepatic ectasias of the biliary duct type I and IV (66%), but we didn't find it in patients with type V intrahepatic ectasias of the biliary duct. This analysis may be recognized as a reference to the truth of the Babbitt-theory.