The role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the management of choledochal cysts in children.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed in eight consecutively treated patients with choledochal cyst to assess its technical feasibility and complications. Satisfactory visualization of the complete anatomy of the biliary tract was possible in seven patients. Four patients had a type IV choledochal cyst and three had type I. In one patient, the procedure showed a congenital web in the lower end of the common bile duct; in another, there was complete membranous block of the lower end of the common bile duct. The findings of ERCP and intraoperative cholangiography were concordant for six patients. Only one patient had exacerbation of preexisting cholangitis. The authors conclude that ERCP is an essential investigative method in the management of choledochal cysts in children.