Common channel syndrome--diagnosis with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and surgical management.

Six patients with intermittent bouts of vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice beginning in infancy or early childhood were all demonstrated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to have an anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system with the formation of a characteristic long common channel. A varying degree of dilatation of the bile duct also was noted. Resection of choledochus followed by hepaticoduodenostomy was performed with satisfactory results invariably in all cases. The existence of a pathologic entity that might reasonably be designated "common channel syndrome" is discussed with some comments on its relationship with dilatation of the bile duct (choledochal cyst) as well as on the recommendable method of surgical treatment.