Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 14, 2014; 20(22): 7061-7066
Published online Jun 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i22.7061
Diagnosis and management of choledochal cyst: 20 years of single center experience
Nabil Gadelhak, Ahmed Shehta, Hosam Hamed
Nabil Gadelhak, Ahmed Shehta, Hosam Hamed, Department of Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgical Center, Mansoura University, Manoura 35516, Dakahleyya, Egypt
Author contributions: Gadelhak N designed the study and revised the manuscript; Shehta A and Hamed H collected and analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Hosam Hamed, Assistant Lecturer of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgical Center, Mansoura University, Jehan Street, Manoura 35516, Dakahleyya, Egypt. hosam-eldin@hotmail.com
Telephone: +2-10-06178599 Fax: +2-50-2243220
Received: July 27, 2013
Revised: September 11, 2013
Accepted: September 15, 2013
Published online: June 14, 2014
Processing time: 324 Days and 15.4 Hours
Abstract

We report the first case series from Africa and the Middle East on choledochal cyst, a disease which shows significant geographical distribution with high incidence in the Asian population. In this study, the epidemiological data of the patients are presented and analyzed. Attention was paid to diagnostic imaging and its accuracy in the diagnosis and classification of choledochal cyst. Most cases of choledochal cyst disease have type I and IV-A cysts according to the Todani classification system, which support the etiological theories of choledochal cyst, especially Babbitt’s theory of the anomalous pancreaticobiliary duct junction, which are clearly stated. The difficulties and hazards of surgical management and methods used to avoid operative complications are clarified. Early and late postoperative complications are also included. This study should be followed by multicenter studies throughout Egypt to help assess the incidence of choledochal cysts in one of the largest populations in Africa and the Middle East.

Keywords: Choledochal cyst; Hepatic cyst; Hepaticojejunostomy; Caroli disease; Hepatectomy

Core tip: The research reported in this manuscript represents 20 years of experience in a single high volume Egyptian center and includes 50 cases of choledochal cyst. This is the first report of a case series from Africa and the Middle East.