Bile Duct Cysts | Surgical Associates

Bile Duct Cysts

By Dr. Lee Ser Yee

Choledochal cysts are rare congenital dilations (enlargements) of the bile ducts, a network of long tube-like structures that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine to aid in digestion.

It may involve the bile ducts inside, outside the liver, or both. Choledochal cysts occur more often in children, women and are more common in the Asian population.

Choledochal cyst is considered a potentially pre-cancerous condition, this risk of cancer provides the basis for the current treatment strategies.

Cancer may develop in up to 20-30% of patients with choledochal cyst over time. Choledochal cysts are classified according to their location and extent of involvement configurations.

Risk factors and Prevention

The exact cause is not known. It is a developmental abnormality of the bile duct which may be associated with other congenital anomalies. There is no known prevention but early diagnosis and treatment confers better outcomes.

Symptoms

Some patients have no symptoms – these may be detected when scans are done for health screening or other conditions
Obstructive jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes, itch, tea-coloured urine & pale stools
Upper abdominal pain and discomfort- due to the cyst, an enlarged liver or associated pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Fever, chills & rigors- due to cholangitis (bacterial infection of the bile duct)
Unexplained loss of weight and appetite

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of choledochal cyst is usually through imaging such as ultrasound. Other imaging tests such as CT, MRI/MRCP or ERCP may be necessary to further delineate the extent of the disease and guide surgical management.

Treatment

Surgery is the best way to treat choledochal cyst. This involves surgical removal of the diseased bile duct with the cyst and reconstructing the bile duct by joining the remnant bile duct to the small intestine so as to re-establish the continuity of the digestive system.

If suitable, this can be approached via a minimally invasive “keyhole” techniques (laparoscopic, robotic) to minimise pain, scars, shorten hospital stay while optimizing recovery.

For more information, please consult our Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) specialist.

Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre
#08-07, 3 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228510
Tel: 6454 0054 | Fax: 6764 0054 | Email: ask@surgicalassociates.sg

Gleneagles Medical Centre
#05-01, 6 Napier Road, Singapore 258499
Tel: 6471 0054 | Fax: 6271 0054

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