Dilation of intraheptic bile ducts in choledochal cyst: case report with follow-up review of the literature
J. M. Loubeau and F. M. Steichen
Fifty-five cases of intrahepatic dilation of the bile ducts associated with
choledochal cyst have been found in the literature, mostly reported over
the past five years. Obstructive jaundice is often not present at an early
stage in this group of patients, but dissociation of the serum bilirubin
and alkaline phosphatase levels could be an early manifestation of this
condition. Recent advances in diagnosis and new concepts of the cause and
surgical management are reviewed. A case is reported where
choledochocystojejunostomy was performed using automatic stapling
instruments. Disappearance of symptoms, normalization of liver functions,
and reduction in size of the cysts were observed during the two-year
postoperative period.