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 (cho·​le·​doch·​al - 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.