BACKGROUND/AIMS: Anomalous connection between the choledochus and the pancreatic duct is considered to be a factor in the development of carcinoma of the biliary tract. There is especially a malignant potential for gallbladder cancer without dilatation of bile duct. We intend to find the clinical significance of anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union (APBDU) and biliary malignancy, and the correlation between type of APBDU and that of biliary malignancy (gallbladder of bile duct). Our purpose is to certificate the propriety of prophylactic cholecystectomy and to recall operation. METHOD AND RESULTS: We reviewed 880 ERCP cases from September 1994 through February 1996. There were fifteen cases of APBDU and six cases of biliary tumor associated with APBDU. They consisted of three gallbladder cancer with all P-C type union, two bile duct cancer with C-P type union and one villous adenoma in dilated bile duct. In one reoperation case in which cystojejunostomy had already been performed, there was no evidence of malignancy, but one was inoperable due to multiple liver metastasis. CONCLUSION: The patients with APBDU showed an increase of gallbladder cancer occurrence and furthermore those with the C-P type of APBDU, not associated with bile duct dilatation had a higher occurrence. And therefore were censidered preventive cholecystectomy and in operation to divide the biliary duct and pancreatic duct. Preoperative CA 19-9 test is helpful in finding the hidden cancer and is a guide to preventive operation in APBDU patients and to post-operative follow-up.
Adenoma, Villous ; Bile ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystectomy ; Common Bile Duct ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; Humans ; Liver ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Reoperation