CHOLEDOCHAL CYSTS - ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS AND CORRELATION WITH OTHER IMAGING MODALITIES

In the past, choledochal cysts had been infrequently diagnosed prior t o surgical exploration for obstructive jaundice. However, with the adv ance of imaging modalities, preoperative diagnosis is usually apparent . We evaluated the radiological findings of choledochal cysts in 14 pa tients in whom ultrasonography (US) or computed tomography (CT) were m ainly used for diagnosis. In addition, oral cholecystography, intraven ous (IV) cholangiography, scintigraphy, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography were performed in some of them. The diagnosis was conf irmed surgically in all patients. Ultrasonographic examinations were d iagnostic in 13 of 14 patients. Preoperative specific diagnosis of cho ledochal cyst was possible with the demonstration of direct entrance o f the extrahepatic bile ducts into the cyst in most cases. When US fai ls to show relation of cystic mass with biliary system, other imaging modalities can be used to clarify the findings.