A case of biliary tract anomaly that was identified by preoperative MRCP

Abstract

We report a case of communicating accessory bile duct that was identified before elective surgery. A 58-year old female was diagnosed of gallbladder stone by ultrasonography. She hoped to undergo surgery and referred to our hospital. A communicating accessory bile (Type c, Couinaud classification) was identified by preoperative MRCP. We performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy and were able to confirm a known communicating accessory bile duct in addition to cystic duct during the surgery. MRCP was useful to identify the variation of the bile duct anatomy and lead to safe laparoscopic surgery.