A choledochal cyst is a congenital cystic dilation of the extrahepatic or intrahepatic bile ducts. Left untreated, it leads to recurrent jaundice, cholangitis, stone formation, and a high lifetime risk of bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma).
Clinical Presentation
Patients typically present with abdominal pain, jaundice, and occasionally a palpable right upper quadrant mass.
Definitive Surgical Management
Complete surgical excision of the dilated cystic bile duct along with cholecystectomy, followed by a Roux-en-Y Hepaticojejunostomy to reconstruct direct bile drainage from the liver into the small intestine.