Pediatric Choledochal Cysts
What are Pediatric Choledochal Cysts?
Bile, made by the liver, to assist with the digestion of fatty foods, drains through the bile ducts past the gallbladder and into the intestine. These bile ducts are normally quite small. A bile duct that is found to be much larger than normal or abnormally shaped may be a choledochal cyst.
An abnormally enlarged choledochal cyst can create problems, such as:
Drain poorly causing inflammation in the liver with permanent damage
Cause pain when it fills with bile
Acquire infection of bile fluid
Lead to a higher likelihood of developing bile duct cancer later in life
How are Pediatric Choledochal Cysts treated?
Once a choledochal cyst is identified, an operation is required to remove it. Once removed, the bile duct is then replaced with intestine so that bile can still drain from the liver into the intestine.
Pediatric Choledochal Cysts Doctors and Providers
