Long-term native liver fibrosis in biliary atresia: development of a novel scoring system using histology and standard liver tests

Kasai Portoenterostomy, Successful Liver Transplantation, and Immunosuppressive Therapy for Biliary Atresia in a Female Baby: A Case Report

Background

Biliary atresia (BA) is a severe neonatal progressive cholangiopathy of unknown etiology. A timely Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) improves survival of the native liver in patients with BA, although liver transplantation remains the ultimate treatment for most (60%-80%) patients. However, postoperative adverse effects of liver transplantation may be significant. In addition, patients require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy after liver transplantation.

Case Summary

Here, we report a case of a newborn female baby (birthday: 10-03-2018) with congenital BA (confirmed at 76 days of life) who survived KPE (first surgery at 85 days of life) and underwent successful living-related liver transplantation (LRLT) (second surgery at 194 days of life). Additionally, we reviewed the existing literature on BA. After KPE (at 85 days of life), the liver function of the baby did not improve, and the indicators of liver and kidney function showed a trend of aggravation, indicating that the liver function had been seriously damaged before KPE (at 85 days of life), demonstrating the urgent need for liver transplantation surgery. The female baby survived after part of her father's liver was successfully transplanted into her body (at 194 days of life). The patient recovered successfully. No other diseases were found at the 4-year follow-up, and all indices of liver and kidney functions tended to be normal.

Conclusion

This case highlights the following. Postoperative alkaline phosphatase was consistently above the normal range, although the reason for this was unclear; neither tacrolimus nor cyclosporine A has formulations designed specifically for infants, which does not meet the needs of clinical individualized medication, suggesting that these anti-rejection drugs are future development directions. Only one case of congenital BA has been found thus far in Hefei, and this case has extremely important reference significance for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of BA in Hefei, Anhui province.

Predicting Cirrhosis and Poor Outcomes of Bile Drainage Surgery for Biliary Atresia: A Multicentric Observational Study in Japan

OBJECTIVE

To identify patients with biliary atresia (BA) with extremely poor outcomes of bile drainage surgery using the infant BA liver fibrosis (iBALF) score, a liver fibrosis marker based on standard blood analysis.

BACKGROUND

Although primary liver transplantation is beginning to be considered as an alternative to bile drainage surgery in patients with BA, those most likely to benefit from this procedure have not yet been identified.

METHODS

The medical records of 380 patients with BA with bile drainage surgery between 2015 and 2019 were collected for retrospective analysis from 60 participating hospitals. To predict native liver survival at age 1 year, a receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn for the iBALF score. The cutoff value was determined as the point indicating >99% sensitivity.

RESULTS

The median age at surgery was 56 days (range: 4-183 days), and native liver survival at age 1 year was achieved in 258 (67.9%) patients. An iBALF score of 5.27 was chosen as the cutoff, and 18 patients (4.7%) were found to have an iBALF score >5.27; of these, only 2 (95% CI: 1.4%-34.7%) had native liver survival at age 1 year, indicating a significantly poorer outcome than in the other patients (95% CI: 65.7%-75.4%). Moreover, patients with an iBALF score >5.27 had significantly higher mortality and younger age at salvage liver transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with BA having a preoperative iBALF score >5.27 had extremely poor outcomes of bile drainage surgery and may be considered candidates for primary LTx.

Preoperative imaging findings to predict 2-year native liver survival after the Kasai procedure in patients with biliary atresia

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the feasibility of using preoperative imaging indices to predict 2-year native liver survival after the Kasai procedure in patients with biliary atresia (BA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The retrospective review included 190 BA patients who underwent the Kasai procedure between 2000 and 2020, with preoperative US and/or MRI, excluding cases with less than 2-year follow-up period. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify imaging indices to predict 2-year native liver survival. Kasai failure was defined as the need for liver transplantation or death within 2 years of the Kasai procedure.

RESULTS

Of the 90 patients included, all had preoperative US, and 61 also had MRI. Kasai failure occurred in 52% (47/90). Preoperative US identified gallbladder length (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.17-0.95, p = 0.039; cutoff 1.6 cm, AUC 67.66) and biliary cysts (OR 24.64, 95% CI 1.97-308.08, p = 0.013) as significant Kasai failure predictors, with a combined accuracy of 73% (60/82). For patients having both preoperative US and MRI, significant predictors were hepatic artery diameter (OR 6.75, 95% CI 1.31-34.88, p = 0.023; cutoff 2 mm, AUC 73.83) and biliary cysts (OR 23.89, 95% CI 1.43-398.82, p = 0.027) on US, and gallbladder length (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08-0.76, p = 0.014; cutoff 1.2 cm, AUC 74.72) and spleen size (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.02-6.29, p = 0.045; cutoff 6.9 cm, AUC 73.72) on MRI, with a combined accuracy of 85% (52/61).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative US and/or MRI enhance the 2-year native liver survival prediction in BA patients after the Kasai procedure.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

BA patients with hepatic artery diameter > 2 mm (US), gallbladder length < 1.6 cm (US) or < 1.2 cm (MRI), spleen size > 6.9 cm (MRI), and absence of biliary cysts (US/MRI) have a decreased likelihood of 2-year native liver survival.

KEY POINTS

• Preoperative US and/or MRI can predict the probability of achieving 2-year native liver survival following the Kasai procedure. • Combining US and MRI improved the accuracy to 85% for predicting 2-year native liver survival in BA patients. • The hepatic artery diameter > 2 mm (US), gallbladder length < 1.6 cm (US) or < 1.2 cm (MRI), spleen size > 6.9 cm (MRI), and no biliary cysts (US/MRI) are significant predictors of Kasai failure in patients with biliary atresia.

Development and post-Kasai procedure prognostic relevance of histological features for biliary atresia

OBJECTIVES

To validate an appropriate evaluation method of liver fibrosis assessment based on the unique pathological features of biliary atresia (BA) that could well predict its prognosis.

METHODS

A total of 68 patients with BA who underwent Kasai procedure (KP) and an intraoperative liver biopsy, followed up from January 2019 to December 2021, were recruited in a retrospective analysis. Ishak, Metavir, and BA-specific staging systems in relation to outcomes were analyzed using logistic regression, COX proportional hazard regression, Kaplan-Meier analysis, etc. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier analysis determined a significant difference in native liver survival according to the BA-specific stage (p = 0.002). The ROC curve analysis for predicting prognosis showed that the AUC of BA-specific staging combined with iBALF and severe bile duct proliferation (BDP) (0.811, 95% CI: 0.710-0.913, p < 0.0001) was higher than BA-specific staging alone (0.755, 95% CI: 0.639-0.872, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The BA-specific staging system reflects the condition of the liver fibrosis, and its combination with iBALF and severe BDP helps to better evaluate the prognosis of patients with BA.

A noninvasive index to predict liver cirrhosis in biliary atresia

BACKGROUND

Biliary atresia is a progressive obliterative cholangiopathy affecting both extrahepatic and intrahepatic biliary trees, resulting in fibrous obliteration of the biliary tract and subsequent development of cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to find noninvasive indices to predict the status of hepatic fibrosis in children with biliary atresia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively measured the volume of the hepatic lobes and spleen from MR images, obtained biochemical data and analyzed the relationship between the imaging and biochemical indices, and the pathological status of hepatic fibrosis in 35 children with biliary atresia.

RESULTS

A combined index was obtained by logistic regression: logit (likelihood of cirrhosis) = 0.00043 x age at MR examination + 1.67 x aspartate aminotransferase and platelet ratio index (APRI) + 0.0029 x body-surface-area-adjusted left liver lobe volume (BSA adLLV) - 6.57 (log-likelihood chi-square P<0.05, pseudo-R²=0.59). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of age at MR examination, APRI, BSA adLLV and the combined index for prediction of cirrhosis were 0.91, 0.86, 0.83 and 0.94, respectively. The optimal cut-off value (sensitivity and specificity) of age at MR examination, APRI, BSA adLLV and combined index were 132 (86% and 92%), 1.3 (91% and 85%), 855.5 (96% and 62%) and 0.689 (91% and 92%). The accuracy of age at MR examination, APRI, BSA adLLV and combined index were 89%, 89%, 83% and 91%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A combined noninvasive index of age, aspartate aminotransferase and platelet ratio index, and the body-surface-area-adjusted left liver lobe volume measured from MR images is a potential marker of liver cirrhosis in children with biliary atresia.

Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography Predicts Liver Fibrosis in Jaundiced Infants with Suspected Biliary Atresia: A Prospective Study

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the role of preoperative two-dimensional (2D) shear wave elastography (SWE) in assessing the stages of liver fibrosis in patients with suspected biliary atresia (BA) and compared its diagnostic performance with those of serum fibrosis biomarkers.

Materials and Methods

This study was approved by the ethical committee, and written informed parental consent was obtained. Two hundred and sixteen patients were prospectively enrolled between January 2012 and October 2018. The 2D SWE measurements of 69 patients have been previously reported. 2D SWE measurements, serum fibrosis biomarkers, including fibrotic markers and biochemical test results, and liver histology parameters were obtained. 2D SWE values, serum biomarkers including, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRi), and other serum fibrotic markers were correlated with the stages of liver fibrosis by METAVIR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the ROC (AUROC) curve analyses were used.

Results

The correlation coefficient of 2D SWE value in correlation with the stages of liver fibrosis was 0.789 (p < 0.001). The cut-off values of 2D SWE were calculated as 9.1 kPa for F1, 11.6 kPa for F2, 13.0 kPa for F3, and 15.7 kPa for F4. The AUROCs of 2D SWE in the determination of the stages of liver fibrosis ranged from 0.869 to 0.941. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of 2D SWE in the diagnosis of ≥ F3 was 93.4% and 96.0%, respectively. The diagnostic performance of 2D SWE was superior to that of APRi and other serum fibrotic markers in predicting severe fibrosis and cirrhosis (all p < 0.005) and other serum biomarkers. Multivariate analysis showed that the 2D SWE value was the only statistically significant parameter for predicting liver fibrosis.

Conclusion

2D SWE is a more effective non-invasive tool for predicting the stage of liver fibrosis in patients with suspected BA, compared with serum fibrosis biomarkers.

Noninvasive Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis and Portal Hypertension After Successful Portoenterostomy for Biliary Atresia

We investigated noninvasive follow‐up markers for histologic liver fibrosis and portal hypertension (PH) in patients with biliary atresia after successful portoenterostomy (PE). Among children with bilirubin <20 µmol/L after PE (n = 39), Metavir fibrosis stage was evaluated at PE and in follow‐up protocol liver biopsies (n = 83). PH was defined as endoscopically confirmed esophageal varices or thrombocytopenia associated with splenomegaly. The accuracy of liver biochemistry and stiffness in detecting liver fibrosis and PH was analyzed by the area under the receiving operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and multiple regression models. During a median native liver survival of 8.3 years (interquartile range 2.5‐10.8 years), cirrhosis (Metavir F4) had developed in 51% of patients and PH in 54% of patients. Cirrhosis was equally common in all age tertiles of 1.2‐2.1 years (n = 10/27), 3.9‐5.8 years (n = 12/28), and 9.0‐14 years (n = 12/28). In the two oldest age tertiles, histologic liver fibrosis had progressed further in patients with PH than without PH (P < 0.001). PH was accurately predicted by the aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI) (cutoff, 0.70; AUROC, 0.92), bile acids (cutoff, 49 µmol/L; AUROC, 0.91), and liver stiffness (cutoff, 16.9 kPa; AUROC, 0.89; P < 0.001 each) across all age tertiles. Liver stiffness was the most accurate predictor of cirrhosis overall (AUROC, 0.82; P < 0.001), whereas bilirubin was >11 µmol/L in the youngest tertile (AUROC, 0.91; P < 0.001), bile acids was >80 µmol/L in the middle tertile (AUROC, 0.81; P = 0.009), and liver stiffness was >24 kPa in the oldest age tertile (AUROC, 0.96; P = 0.002). Conclusion: After successful PE, development of PH associates with progression of liver fibrosis and can be accurately detected by APRI and stiffness. Liver stiffness most accurately identified cirrhosis in older children, whereas biochemical markers of cholestasis closely reflected histologic cirrhosis in younger children.

Very low bilirubin after portoenterostomy improves survival of the native liver in patients with biliary atresia by deferring liver fibrogenesis

BACKGROUND

Progression of fibrosis and ensuing complications determine the postoperative course of patients operated on for biliary atresia. We evaluated predictors of the progression of fibrosis in the native liver after operative treatment.

METHODS

Among patients whose bilirubin decreased to <34 µmol/L after portoenterostomy (n = 41), predictors of follow-up cirrhosis and the progression of fibrosis were analyzed with logistic regression and survival of their native liver was evaluated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Areas under receiving operating characteristic were used to define optimal cutoffs.

RESULTS

After median follow-up of 5.2 years (interquartile range 1.6-10.2) after portoenterostomy, liver biopsies showed cirrhosis in 53% of patients, and the Metavir stage remained stable or decreased in 38%. The development of cirrhosis was predicted by total or conjugated bilirubin ≥170/120 µmol/L at the time of portoenterostomy (P ≤ .009); normalization of bilirubin within 1.9 months (P = .002); total or conjugated bilirubin ≥ 12.5/7.5 µmol/L (P = .002) and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio ≥ 0.55 at 3 months postoperatively (P = .001); and total or conjugated bilirubin ≥ 7.5/2.5 µmol/L (P ≤ .001), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio ≥ 0.63 (P = .004), and gamma glutamyl transferase ≥ 266 U/L (P = .007) at 6 months postoperatively. In multiple regression analysis, conjugated bilirubin ≥ 2.5 µmol/L at 6 months increased the risk of cirrhosis 35-fold (P = .020), and other predictors were not predictive. Total or conjugated bilirubin < 12.5/7.5 µmol/L (P ≤ .014), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio < 0.55 at 3 months (P = .006), and total or conjugated bilirubin < 7.5/2.5 µmol/L at 6 months postoperatively (P ≤ .014) were the strongest predictors of a stable, nonprogressive fibrosis. Decreases in total or conjugated bilirubin to < 12.5/7.5 µmol/L by 3 months and to < 7.5/2.5 µmol/L by 6 months improved survival of the native liver (log-rank P ≤ .025). Age at follow-up or at portoenterostomy, anatomic type of biliary atresia, use of postoperative steroids, and episodes of cholangitis were unrelated to the progression of fibrosis or the development of cirrhosis (P = not significant).

CONCLUSION

Among patients whose serum bilirubin normalizes after portoenterostomy, its rapid decrease to very low levels prolongs the survival of their native liver by delaying the progression of fibrosis.

A review of long-term outcome and quality of life of patients after Kasai operation surviving with native livers

Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare neonatal cholestatic disease which leads to progressive obliterative cholangiopathy, resulting in biliary obstruction and jaundice. The standard surgical treatment is hepatoportoenterostomy (Kasai operation). Although approximately 50% of the affected infants would require liver transplantation within the first 2 years of life, the other 50% of the patients can live for years with their native liver, despite the progression of cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. Many of these patients will be affected by long-term complications such as repeated cholangitis, portal hypertension, variceal bleeding, growth problems, biochemical abnormalities, and hepatic osteodystrophy. These morbidities impose a huge impact on the quality of life of the patients and their families. Herein, we performed a comprehensive review on the clinical status and quality of life of long-term survivors of biliary atresia with their native livers, to facilitate meticulous longitudinal follow-up of these patients, and alert caregivers the probable complications to be aware of.

Treatment Policy and Liver Histopathology Predict Biliary Atresia Outcomes: Results after National Centralization and Protocol Biopsies

BACKGROUND

Different treatment policies can influence biliary atresia outcomes, but the pathophysiology of expanding fibrosis occurring even after successful portoenterostomy remains unclear.

STUDY DESIGN

Clearance of jaundice (COJ) (bilirubin <20 μmol/L), native liver survival, and overall survival rates of biliary atresia patients were analyzed before and after national centralization of management, as well as in relation to native liver histopathology of protocol biopsies.

RESULTS

Of the 59 patients, 35 were managed after centralization and received standardized postoperative adjuvant therapy, including corticosteroids. After centralization, age at portoenterostomy decreased from 73 days to 54 days (p = 0.014) and COJ rate increased from 42% to 80% (p = 0.005), 5-year native liver survival increased from 38% to 70% (p = 0.014), and 5-year overall survival increased from 68% to 94% (p = 0.007). High-grade portal inflammation at portoenterostomy predicted COJ (odds ratio 3.66; p = 0.011) and slower fibrosis progression (β = -0.74; p = 0.005). Native liver survival was extended in patients with high-grade portal inflammation (p = 0.002) and in patients whose bilirubin normalized within 3 months (p < 0.001). Portal inflammation and cholestasis reduced only after COJ (p < 0.001), and persisting ductal reaction, reflected by cytokeratin 7-positive proliferating bile ductules and periportal hepatocytes, correlated with follow-up fibrosis (r = 0.454 to 0.763; p < 0.001 to 0.003). Cytokeratin 7 immunopositivity of periportal hepatocytes increased after COJ (p = 0.015) and was the only predictor of follow-up liver fibrosis (β = 0.36; p = 0.002) in multiple regression.

CONCLUSIONS

Biliary atresia outcomes improved significantly after centralization and standardized management. Resolution of cholestasis and reduction of high-grade portal inflammation postoperatively predict slower fibrosis progression and improved native liver survival, and persisting ductal reaction parallels progressive native liver fibrosis despite COJ.

Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer predicts grade F4 liver fibrosis in patients with biliary atresia

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Mac-2 Binding Protein Glycosylation Isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel fibrosis marker. We examined the ability of M2BPGi to predict liver fibrosis in patients with biliary atresia.

METHODS

Sixty-four patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) were included [median age, 1.1 years (range 0.4-16.0), male 16 patients (25.0 %)]. We examined M2BPGi levels in serum obtained the day before LDLT, and we compared the value of the preoperative M2BPGi levels with the histological evaluation of fibrosis using the METAVIR fibrosis score. Subsequently, we assessed the ability of M2BPGi levels to predict fibrosis.

RESULTS

The median M2BPGi level in patients with BA was 6.02 (range, 0.36-20.0), and 0, 1, 1, 11, and 51 patients had METAVIR fibrosis scores of F0, F1, F2, F3, and F4, respectively. In patients with F4 fibrosis, the median M2BPGi level was 6.88 (quartile; 5.235, 12.10), significantly higher than that in patients with F3 fibrosis who had a median level of 2.42 (quartile; 1.93, 2.895, p < 0.01). Area under the curve analysis for the ability of M2BPGi level to predict grade fibrosis was 0.917, with a specificity and sensitivity of 0.923 and 0.941, respectively. In comparison with other fibrosis markers such as hyaluronic acid, procollagen-III-peptide, type IV collagen 7 s, and aspartate aminotransferase platelet ratio index, M2BPGi showed the strongest ability to predict grade F4 fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

M2BPGi is a novel fibrosis marker for evaluating the status of the liver in patients with BA, especially when predicting grade F4 fibrosis.

Relation between amount of bile ducts in portal canal and outcomes in biliary atresia

BACKGROUND

There is no good prognostic indicator for biliary atresia (BA). We reviewed liver biopsies taken during the initial procedure to find a prognostic marker.

METHODS

Thirty-two BA cases underwent Kasai operation from 1976 to 2009. We compared two groups at 1, 3, and 9 years. Group A required liver transplantation or died. Group B survived with their native liver. Biopsies were analyzed for liver fibrosis, portal-central vein bridging (P-C bridging), ductal plate malformation (DPM) and the number of the bile ducts in portal canal/measured surface area of the portal canal (BDP ratio). Statistical comparisons of the multiple data were evaluated by Mann-Whitney U test, Student's t test and Pearson's Chi-square test. Regression analysis with P < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

BDP ratios (/mm(2)) were 2.4 ± 1.5 in Group A1 (n = 9) vs 4.6 ± 2.4 in Group B1 (n = 23) (P = 0.01); 2.6 ± 1.4 in Group A3 (n = 14) vs 5.1 ± 2.5 in Group B3 (n = 18) (P < 0.01), 3.0 ± 2.2 in Group A9 (n = 15) vs 4.9 ± 2.5 in Group B9 (n = 15) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in any other finding.

CONCLUSION

The BDP ratio is a sound prognostic indicator in BA.

Diagnosing native liver fibrosis and esophageal varices using liver and spleen stiffness measurements in biliary atresia: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Biliary atresia commonly leads to liver fibrosis and cirrhotic complications, including esophageal varices.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate liver and spleen stiffness measurements using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging for diagnosing grade of liver fibrosis and predicting the presence of esophageal varices in patients treated for biliary atresia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ARFI imaging of the spleen and native liver was performed in 28 patients with biliary atresia. We studied the relation between ARFI imaging values and liver histology findings (n=22), upper gastrointestinal endoscopy findings (n=16) and several noninvasive test results. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analyses.

RESULTS

Liver stiffness measurements exhibited a significant difference among the different grades of liver fibrosis (P=0.009), and showed higher values in patients with high-risk esophageal varices than in the other patients (P=0.04). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of liver stiffness measurements for liver fibrosis grades  ≥ F2, ≥F3 and = F4 were 0.83, 0.93 and 0.94, respectively. Patients with high-risk esophageal varices were preferentially diagnosed by the combined liver and spleen stiffness measurements (area under the curve, 0.92).

CONCLUSION

Liver and spleen stiffness measurements using ARFI imaging are potential noninvasive markers for liver fibrosis and esophageal varices in patients treated for biliary atresia.

Histamine is correlated with liver fibrosis in biliary atresia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Biliary atresia (BA) is a severe neonatal cholestasis disease that is caused by obstruction of extra bile ducts. Liver fibrosis progresses dramatically in BA, and the underlying molecular mechanism is largely unknown.

METHODS

Amino acids and biogenic amines were quantified by targeted metabolomic methods in livers of 52 infants with BA and 16 infants with neonatal hepatitis syndrome (NHS). Normal adjacent nontumor liver tissues from 5 hepatoblastoma infants were used as controls. Orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis was used to identify the differences between BA, NHS, and control tissues. Histamine metabolism enzymes and receptors were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTS

The orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis clearly separated BA from NHS and the controls using amino acid and biogenic amine profiles. Histamine was significantly increased in the livers of BA infants and was positively correlated with the severity of fibrosis. This finding was supported by the elevated l-histidine decarboxylase and reduced monoamine oxidase type B expressions in the BA infants with severe fibrosis. Furthermore, histamine receptor H1 was observed in the cholangiocytes of BA livers.

CONCLUSIONS

Histamine was positively correlated with fibrosis and may be a potential target to prevent liver fibrosis in BA.

A pathological scoring system in the diagnosis and judgment of prognosis of biliary atresia

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of a histological scoring system in biliary atresia (BA).

METHODS

From June 2013 to July 2014, 86 wedge liver biopsy specimens were obtained from infants with neonatal cholestasis (58 patients with biliary atresia and 28 patients with non-obstructive cholestasis as control) in our center. A pathologist, single-blinded to the final diagnosis, made the histological diagnosis individually based on an 8-feature (liver fibrosis, portal ductal proliferation, bile plugs in portal ductules, cholestasis, hepatocellular changes inflammatory cells infiltration in portal region, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and ductal plate malformation), 21-point (0 to 21) scoring system.

RESULTS

In this retrospective study, ductular reaction (bile ductular proliferation) and liver fibrosis in the portal area, bile plugs, and ductal plate malformation were the best indicators of BA. With the scoring system, a score of ≥8 had the best diagnostic utility to differentiate BA from other intrahepatic cholestasis histologically (sensitivity 94.7%, specificity 86.2%, accuracy 91.9%). Liver fibrosis and ductal plate malformation were confirmed to be related with the prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

An 8-feature, 21-point histological scoring system has a good diagnostic accuracy in the interpretation of liver histology in neonatal cholestasis. The use of liver fibrosis and ductal plate malformation are also feasible to assess the prognosis.

Development and Validation of a Novel Fibrosis Marker in Biliary Atresia during Infancy

OBJECTIVES

Most biliary atresia (BA) patients suffer from liver fibrosis and often require liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a novel fibrosis marker for BA patients aged <1 year-the infant BA liver fibrosis (iBALF) score-subsequent to the previously reported fibrosis marker for BA patients aged ≥1 year.

METHODS

From three institutions for pediatric surgery, BA patients and their native liver histology examinations performed at the age of <1 year were retrospectively identified and assigned to a development cohort (58 patients and 73 examinations) or validation cohort (92 patients and 117 examinations) according to their institutions. Histological fibrosis stages (F0-F4), blood test results, and clinical information at the time of liver histology examination were reviewed. The iBALF score was determined using multivariate ordered logistic regression analysis and was assessed for its associations with histological fibrosis stages.

RESULTS

The iBALF score equation was composed of natural logarithms, including serum total bilirubin level, blood platelet counts, and days of age. The score revealed a strong correlation with fibrosis stage (r=0.80 and 0.73 in the development and validation cohorts, respectively; P<0.001). The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for diagnosing each fibrosis stage were 0.86-0.94 in the development cohort and 0.86-0.90 in the validation cohort (P<0.001), indicating good diagnostic power. In addition, no patient with an iBALF score >6 (equivalent to F4) at the initial surgery survived with their native liver at 1 year of age (n=9).

CONCLUSIONS

The iBALF score that was developed was a good noninvasive marker of native liver fibrosis for BA patients aged <1 year.

Design and validation of an early scoring system for predicting early outcomes of type III biliary atresia after Kasai's operation

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine reliable predictors of outcome of biliary atresia (BA) after Kasai's operation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included two consecutive stages of infants with biliary atresia. First stage, 200 BA cases who underwent Kasai's operation at our institution between May 2006 and May 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. In the first stage, we wanted to calculate a clinical scoring system by logistic regression. For cut-off determination, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed. Second stage (validation of scoring system), we used our scoring system to prospectively predict the outcomes of patients underwent a Kasai operation from inspecting the accuracy of our system.

RESULTS

Early cholangitis, age at operation, JC time, post-operative TB, DB, AST, ALT and surgical method entered into our scoring system. The most reliable cut-offs determined by ROC analysis were 7.71 (sensitivity: 86.0%, specificity: 98.0%). We used our scoring system to predict the prognosis of the 15 BA patients and found that 13 of 15 patients were correctly predicted at the cut-off value of 7.71.

CONCLUSION

Our scoring system is considered to be a reliable and useful predictor of the prognosis of biliary atresia.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the evaluation of liver fibrosis after biliary obstruction

AIM: To investigate perfusion change in contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) to evaluate liver fibrosis based on biliary obstruction using an animal model.

METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits (3-4 kg) underwent bile duct ligation to form a biliary obstruction model. We performed liver CEUS and laboratory tests on the day before the operation (day 0) and every 7 postoperative days until the rabbits were sacrificed. After CEUS, signal intensity of liver parenchyma with a time-intensity curve was analyzed. Perfusion parameters were automatically calculated from region-of-interests, including peak signal intensity, mean transit time, area under the curve and time to peak. Histological grades of liver fibrosis were assessed according to the Metavir score system immediately after sacrifice. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the association between liver fibrosis grades and perfusion parameters for statistical analysis. The perfusion parameters were measured on the last day and the difference between day 0 and the last day were evaluated.

RESULTS: From the nine rabbits, histological grades of liver fibrosis were grade 1 in one rabbit, grade 2 and 3 in three rabbits each, and grade 4 in two rabbits. Among the four CEUS parameters, only the peak signal intensity measured on the last day demonstrated a significant association with liver fibrosis grades (OR = 1.392, 95%CI: 1.114-1.741, P = 0.004). The difference in peak signal intensity between day 0 and the last day also demonstrated an association with liver fibrosis (OR = 1.191, 95%CI: 0.999-1.419, P = 0.051). The other parameters tested, including mean transit time, area under the curve, and time to peak, showed no significant correlation with liver fibrosis grades.

CONCLUSION: This animal study demonstrates that CEUS can be used to evaluate liver fibrosis from biliary obstruction using peak signal intensity as a parameter.