Type VI biliary cyst: report of a case

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology
• Hepatobiliary Surgery

Background:

• Isolated cystic duct cysts are exceptionally rare biliary tract lesions.
• The widely used Todani classification system does not encompass cystic duct cysts.
• Preoperative diagnosis can be challenging, often mimicking other biliary pathologies.

Observation:

• A patient presented with abdominal pain and a gallbladder mass on imaging.
• Multiple preoperative imaging studies failed to definitively distinguish the lesion from a choledochal cyst.
• Surgical intervention was planned for cyst excision and biliary reconstruction.

Findings:

• Intraoperative findings confirmed a Type VI biliary cyst, specifically an isolated cystic duct cyst.
• Cholecystectomy with ligation of the cystic duct near the common bile duct proved to be a curative treatment.
• This approach successfully managed the rare cystic duct anomaly.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of biliary cyst classification and presentation.
• It underscores the importance of surgical exploration for definitive diagnosis and treatment of rare biliary lesions.
• Successful management via cholecystectomy and cystic duct ligation offers a potential surgical strategy for similar rare cases.