A contribution to the casuistics of choledochal cysts

Choledochal cyst is a rare cystic anomaly of bile ducts, primarily affecting the choledochus. The etiology of the disease is unknown, while the symptoms predominated by cholangitis usually occur by the age of thirty. The complications of untreated disease include septic complications, biliary cirrhosis, formation of concrements in cystically dilated bile ducts, and a potential risk of cholangiocarcinoma. Two patients with choledochal cysts type III and IV are presented. The patient with type III choledochal cyst underwent radical treatment, whereas in the patient with type IV choledochal cyst only a palliative procedure could be used. Both patients were men older than 40, and were free from the disease associated sequels for two and five years after the surgery.