Skip to main content
Log in

Choledochal cysts: Ultrasonographic findings and correlation with other imaging modalities

  • Published:
Abdominal Imaging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the past, choledochal cysts had been infrequently diagnosed prior to surgical exploration for obstructive jaundice. However, with the advance of imaging modalities, preoperative diagnosis is usually apparent. We evaluated the radiological findings of choledochal cysts in 14 patients in whom ultrasonography (US) or computed tomography (CT) were mainly used for diagnosis. In addition, oral cholecystography, intravenous (IV) cholangiography, scintigraphy, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography were performed in some of them. The diagnosis was confirmed surgically in all patients. Ultrasonographic examinations were diagnostic in 13 of 14 patients. Preoperative specific diagnosis of choledochal cyst was possible with the demonstration of direct entrance of the extrahepatic bile ducts into the cyst in most cases. When US fails to show relation of cystic mass with biliary system, other imaging modalities can be used to clarify the findings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Yamaguchi M. Congenital choledochal cyst: analysis of 1433 patients in the Japanese literature. Am J Surg 1980;140:653–657

    Google Scholar 

  2. Vanderpool D, Lane BW, Winter JW, Ettinger J. Choledochal cysts. Surg Gynel Obstet 1988;167:447–451

    Google Scholar 

  3. Crittenden SL, McKinley MJ. Choledochal cyst: clinical features and classification. Am J Gastroenterol 1985;80:643–647

    Google Scholar 

  4. Lee SS, Min PC, Kim OS, Hong PW. Choledochal cyst. Arch Surg 1969;99:19–28

    Google Scholar 

  5. Cheney M, Rustad DG, Lilly JR. Choledochal cyst. World J Surg 1985;9:244–249

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sherman P, Kolster E, Davies C, Stringer D, Weber J. Choledochal cysts: heterogenicity of clinical presentation. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1986;5:867–872

    Google Scholar 

  7. Yoshida H, Itai Y, Mianami M, Kokubo T. Biliary malignancies occurring in choledochal cysts. Radiology 1989;173:389–392

    Google Scholar 

  8. Babbit DP. Congenital choledochal cysts: new etiological concept based on anomalous relationships of common bile duct and pancreatic bulb. Ann Radiol 1969;12:231–240

    Google Scholar 

  9. Iwai N, Yanagohara J, Tokiwa K, Shimotake T. Congenital choledochal dilatation with emphasis on pathophysiology of the biliary tract. Ann Surg 1991;215:27–30

    Google Scholar 

  10. Alonzo-Lej F, Rever WB Jr, Pessagno DJ. Collective review: congenital choledochal cysts, with a report of 2, and an analysis of 94 cases. Int Abst Surg 1959;108:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  11. Todani T, Watanabe Y, Narusue M, Tabuchi K, Okajima K. Congenital bile duct cysts: classification, operative procedures and review of thirty-seven cases including cancer arising from choledochal cyst. Am J Surg 1977;134:263–269

    Google Scholar 

  12. Filly RA, Carlsen EN. Choledochal cyst: report of a case with specific ultrasonographic findings. J Clin Ultrasound 1979;4:7–10

    Google Scholar 

  13. Han BK, Babcock DS, Gelfand MH. Choledochal cyst with bile duct dilatation: sonography and 99mTc IDA cholescintigraphy. AJR 1981;136:1075–1079

    Google Scholar 

  14. Reuter K, Raptopoulos VD, Cantelmo N. The diagnosis of a choledochal cyst by ultrasound. Radiology 1980;136:437–438

    Google Scholar 

  15. Morgan CL, Trought WS, Oddson TA, Thompson WM. South Med J 1980;73:1389–1391

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hadidi A. Types I and III choledochal cyst: preoperative diagnosis by ultrasound. Am J Dis Child 1983;137:663–665

    Google Scholar 

  17. Araki T, Itai Y, Tosaka A. CT of choledochal cyst. AJR 1980;135:729–734

    Google Scholar 

  18. Farman J, Javors B, Chao P, Fagelman D. CT demonstration of giant choledochal cysts in adults. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1985;11:771–774

    Google Scholar 

  19. Dewbury KC, Aulwihare APR, Brich SJ, Freeman NV. Case reports: prenatal ultrasound demonstration of a choledochal cyst. Br J Radiol 1980;53:906–907

    Google Scholar 

  20. Torris JM, Haller JO, Velcek FT. Choledochal cyst and biliary atresia in the neonate: imaging findings in five cases. AJR 1990;155:1273–1276

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Akhan, O., Demirkazik, F.B., Özmen, M.N. et al. Choledochal cysts: Ultrasonographic findings and correlation with other imaging modalities. Abdom Imaging 19, 243–247 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00203517

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00203517

Key words

Navigation