Histopathological Study and Expression of Beta-Catenin in Congenital Choledochal Cyst in a Tertiary Care Pediatric Referral Center in South India.

Purpose: Choledochal cysts are congenital anomalies that occur as localized cystic or fusiform dilatations of the biliary tree. Reflux and stasis of pancreatic enzymes in the biliary duct may relate to the development of intestinal metaplasia which might be an important factor related to the carcinogenesis of choledochal cyst, thus the expression of beta-catenin in the metaplastic epithelium might be associated with malignant transformation of choledochal cyst epithelium.

Methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary care pediatric center between October 2014 and March 2017.