RESUMO
Objective To discuss the influence of anatomical variations of the cystic duct on preoperative diagnosis and operational scheme for cholecystectomy. Methods A 47-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with diagnosis of cholecystolithiasis. Ultrasonography suggested minimal intra- and extrahepatic ductal dilatation. Laboratory tests showed that serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were 189 IU/L, 366 IU/L and 144 IU/L, respectively. In order to make a certain diagnosis, the patient received both magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Results MRCP showed the bile duct slightly dilated with a shuttle shape figure and a lower signal with a strip form in it. MRCP could not confirm the quality of this signal and was doubtful of choledochus diaphragma. Subsequently, ERCP was applied to demonstrate that the cystic duct was collateral with the common hepatic duct when arriving into its left side and converged into the bile duct with a lower position, which was the reason for why MRCP misjudged the formation of choledochus diaphragma in the bile duct. Finally, the patient underwent open cholecystectomy. Conclusion There are some kinds of variations in the cystic duct including course, appearance and location of confluence. Combing MRCP with ERCP can significantly elevate the diagnostic accuracy of the cystic duct before operation, especially in those patients with doubtful diagnosis upon admission. To avoid biliary injury as much as possible, open cholecystectomy is superior to the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)with regard to the patients suffering from cholecystolithiasis complicated with variation of the cystic duct.