Association of anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction with gallbladder carcinoma in Chinese patients: an ERCP study.

BACKGROUND: Anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction, a rare congenital anomaly, is associated with various biliary and pancreatic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction in Chinese patients with gallbladder cancer.

METHODS: One thousand eight hundred seventy-six patients underwent ERCP between April 2000 and September 2001 with biliary and pancreatic duct opacification in 1082. Among the latter patients, those with proven gallbladder carcinoma were identified. Anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction was defined as a common channel greater than 15 mm in length or a contractile segment totally distal to the union of the biliary and pancreatic ducts. When the common bile duct appeared to join the main pancreatic duct, the anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction was denoted as B-P subtype; if the main pancreatic duct appeared to join the common bile duct, it was denoted P-B subtype.

RESULTS: Fifty-four patients had gallbladder carcinoma, 7 of whom (3 men, 4 women) had anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction (P-B subtype 6, B-P subtype 1). The mean (SD) length of the common channel was 21.0 mm (11.2 mm) with a range of 12 to 45 mm. One patient had early cystic dilation of bile duct. Three other patients had anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction; 1 had an associated choledochal cyst and 2 a normal biliary tree. The overall frequency of anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction was 0.9% (10/1082 cases). The frequency of anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction was significantly higher in patients with gallbladder carcinoma (p < 0.001; OR, 50.7; 95% CI [12.7, 202.3]).

CONCLUSIONS: Anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction is strongly associated with gallbladder cancer among Chinese patients.