CHOLEDOCHAL CYSTS: THE DIAGNOSTIC RELIABILITY OF ULTRASOUND

Abstract

Choledochal cysts are rare cystic dilatations of the bile ducts, which are commonly found in

children. We report two young patients affected by this anomaly. The clinical symptoms of the

patients were minimal: mild pain localized in the upper-right quadrant and a serum increase in

transaminases. Both of the patients were affected by type I choledochal cysts (B and A,

respectively, according to the Todani classification). The diagnosis was made using abdominal

ultrasound and then confirmed by MRI. We wish to emphasize the relevant contribution of

ultrasound as an easy, reliable, rapid, low-cost modality for the diagnosis of choledochal cysts