[1] They are uncommon in western countries[2] but not as rare in East Asian nations like Japan and China.

[citation needed] In older individuals, choledochal cysts are more likely to cause abdominal pain and intermittent episodes of jaundice and occasionally cholangitis (inflammation within the bile ducts caused by the spread of bacteria from the intestine into the bile ducts).

Future complications include cholangitis and a 2% risk of malignancy, which may develop in any part of the biliary tree.

A recent article published in the Journal of Surgery suggested that choledochal cysts could also be treated with single-incision laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy with comparable results and less scarring.

[citation needed] Currently, there is no accepted indication for fetal intervention in the management of prenatally suspected choledochal cysts.