title: Rare bile duct anomalies. A case report and implications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
abstract: Anomalies of the biliary ductal system are not uncommon, and are of variable clinical significance. A case is reported of an extremely unusual variation, with the cystic duct entering the left hepatic duct. Preoperative delineation of the anomaly in this patient by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography assisted in the subsequent performance of a safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Awareness of potential biliary variations is one factor in avoidance of ductal injuries during laparoscopic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44109.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Eckhauser
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000002:abnormalities; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D003549:Cystic Duct / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans