A retrospective study of choledochal cyst: clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment.

The treatment and early diagnosis of choledochal cyst are very important to prevent complications of the disease. Delay in treatment can cause lethal complications like biliary cirrhosis and increased morbidity in patients. We studied 26 children with choledochal cyst retrospectively for their clinical presentation, and for the diagnostic tools and treatment modalities, used. The most common findings of choledochal cyst in our series were abdominal pain, vomiting, and ictures in contrast to the classical triad of the disease of jaundice, mass and pain. The most useful diagnostic tool was abdominal ultrasonography. For the treatment, we preferred Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy to the internal drainage procedures, and the results were excellent with minimal mortality and morbidity. We underline prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent late complications of the disease.