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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Laparoscopic Choledochal Cyst Excision and Roux-en-Y Choledochojejunostomy in Adults
Published on: February 28, 2025
An unusual variant of choledochal cyst: a case report
Javaid Sadiq1, Biplap Nandi, Kokila Lakhoo
1Oxford Children's Hospital, Oxford, UK. mjavaidsadiq@yahoo.com.
Insights
This case highlights a rare congenital biliary tract anomaly, a choledochal cyst, with unusual intrahepatic anatomy. Early diagnosis and clear anatomical definition are crucial for successful surgical excision.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Congenital Anomalies
Background:
- Choledochal cysts are rare congenital biliary tract diseases.
- Existing classifications include five main types and several subtypes.
- Occasional anatomical variants not fitting standard classifications can occur.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of a choledochal cyst with unusual intrahepatic biliary anatomy.
- To emphasize the importance of detailed pre-operative anatomical assessment.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a female infant with antenatally diagnosed choledochal cyst.
- Intraoperative cholangiogram to delineate biliary tree anatomy.
- Successful surgical excision of the choledochal cyst.
Main Results:
- The operative cholangiogram revealed an unusual intrahepatic biliary tree.
- The infant underwent successful cyst excision.
- The patient is well at 18 months follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Pre-surgical anatomical definition is critical for managing choledochal cysts.
- Abnormal variants may not conform to established classification systems.
- Thorough pre-operative imaging is essential for optimal surgical planning.
Introduction:
Choledochal cyst is an uncommon congenital disease of the biliary tract in the UK. There are five main types of choledochal cyst with several recognised sub-types. However, occasional variants do occur.
Case Presentation:
We report a case of a female infant with an antenatally diagnosed choledochal cyst. The operative cholangiogram revealed an unusual intrahepatic biliary tree. The cyst was successfully excised and the infant is well at 18-months follow up.
Conclusion:
The anatomy should be clearly defined before surgical excision as abnormal variants can occur, which usually do not fit into the known classification types and subtypes.
