Characteristics of infantile cases of congenital dilatation of the bile duct

Common bile duct dilatations in asymptomatic neonates: incidence and prognosis

Background. This retrospective study reviewed 213 asymptomatic neonates with common bile duct (CBD) dilatations diagnosed via ultrasound to evaluate their incidence and outcomes. Materials and Methods. From August 2001 to July 2010, 18,230 abdominal ultrasound scans were performed as newborn screening. There were 213 (1.17%) cases of CBD dilatation. Dilatation of neonatal CBD was defined when its diameter was ≥2 mm. The neonates' birth history, CBD size, and follow-up results were analyzed. Results. In the 213 infants, four cystic dilatations (1.88%, 4/213) that were eventually diagnosed as choledochal cysts (CC). Among 209 neonates with fusiform dilatations (size 2.0–6.7 mm), 77 had ultrasound follow-up and 87% of them resolved spontaneously which were diagnosed as transient CBD dilatation (TCBDD). Eighty percent of TCBDDs resolved within 6 months. Patients with initial CBD size ≥3 mm had significantly lower resolution rate and neonates whose mothers are older than 35 years took longer time to resolve. Conclusion. The incidence of CBD dilatation in asymptomatic neonates was 1.17%. Eighty percent of TCBDDs resolved within 6 months. Regular ultrasound follow-up every 6 months may be appropriate for asymptomatic neonates with fusiform CBD dilatations to ensure resolution or progression.

Histological classification of liver fibrosis and its impact on the postoperative clinical course of patients with congenital dilatation of the bile duct

PURPOSE

Infants and children with congenital dilatation of the bile duct (CDBD) usually also have some degree of liver fibrosis, which occasionally persists after diversion surgery, leading to liver cirrhosis. We conducted this study to evaluate the histological degree of liver fibrosis using intraoperative biopsy and to determine whether it affects the postoperative clinical course.

METHODS

The subjects were 43 infants and children with CDBD. The age at operation ranged from 1 month to 14 years. Histological classification was defined as follows: grade 0, no fibrosis; grade 1, fibrosis confined to the portal area; grade 2, bridge formation with the neighboring portal area; grade 3, widened bridging fibrosis; and grade 4, pseudolobule formation, representative of cirrhosis.

RESULTS

There were 21 (48.8%) patients with grade 0, 17 (39.5%) with grade 1, 4 (9.3%) with grade 2, 1 (2.3%) with grade 3, and 0 (0%) with grade 4 fibrosis. There were no differences in preoperative serum total bilirubin, total bile acid, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels among the four groups. On the other hand, the grade 2 and 3 groups tended to include patients with a lower age at operation, and lower amylase levels in the serum and bile. Postoperatively, clinical symptoms resolved and laboratory data normalized in all patients. Two patients underwent liver biopsy for other reasons 3 and 4 years after surgery, which confirmed disappearance of the liver fibrosis. These patients had originally had grade 1 and grade 2 fibrosis, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Mild to moderate liver fibrosis is present in almost half of all children with CDBD; however, if it is graded as less than moderate, it will probably not affect the postoperative clinical course.

Congenital dilatation of the bile duct: changes in diagnostic tools over the past 19 years

BACKGROUND

Because of recent improvements in diagnostic procedures, many cases of congenital dilatation of the bile duct (CDBD) have been diagnosed in early life. To determine the mode of presentation and changes in diagnostic tools, medical records of 34 children (25 girls, nine boys) with CDBD who were treated between 1982 and 2000 were reviewed.

RESULTS

The age at presentation ranged from 0 to 16 years (median 4.9 +/- 0.7 years), with two patients being diagnosed using prenatal ultrasonography. Of the 32 patients diagnosed post-natally, 21 (66%) complained of abdominal pain. There were also 21 (66%) cases of vomiting. Sixteen patients (50%) experienced both these symptoms. Ten (31%) cases presented with jaundice and three (9%) presented with a palpable mass. Ultrasonography was used as a diagnostic tool in 29 cases (85%). The finding of a dilated common bile duct on abdominal ultrasonography was helpful for early diagnosis. Spiral computed tomography was also a useful and accurate imaging method for diagnosis. Anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction (PBJ) was demonstrated in 44% of patients with CDBD. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, which can be performed non-invasively, is useful for the diagnosis and pre-operative assessment of CDBD in children. The average length of time from presentation to diagnosis could be shortened from 46 days (1982-1988) to 13 days (1995-2000).

CONCLUSION

Recent improvements in diagnostic procedures make immediate, non-invasive diagnosis of CDBD and PBJ possible.

Cisto de colédoco: experiência de cinco anos com o tratamento cirúrgico no hospital municipal JESUS-RJ

OBJETIVO: Relatar a experiência no diagnóstico e tratamento do cisto de colédoco no Hospital Municipal Jesus em cinco anos (1996-2001) e a experiência brasileira publicada para o tratamento do cisto de colédoco em crianças. MÉTODO: Avaliação prospectiva dos pacientes operados com o diagnóstico de cisto de colédoco em cinco anos no Hospital Municipal Jesus. RESULTADOS: Houve predomínio de casos diagnosticados pela presença de dor abdominal recorrente, icterícia e/ou massa abdominal palpável. Apenas dois pacientes apresentavam a tríade completa. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à ultra-sonografia e houve dúvida no diagnóstico ultra-sonográfico em apenas dois. Todos eram cistos do tipo 1 de Todani tratados através de ressecção completa e anastomose biliodigestiva em Y Roux. Houve complicações pós-operatórias imediatas em três pacientes: um caso de hemorragia digestiva alta e dois casos de fístula biliar, um deles relacionado a problemas técnicos na anastomose que necessitou de reoperação. O seguimento variou de quatro meses a cinco anos, sem detecção de complicação tardia em nenhum caso. CONCLUSÕES: O tratamento do cisto de colédoco através da ressecção completa na criança é seguro, relacionado a poucas complicações e capaz de resolver por completo a sintomatologia pré-operatória dos pacientes.

Congenital absence of the portal vein associated with focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver and congenital choledochal cyst: a case report

A congenital absence of the portal vein (CAPV) is a rare malformation, which almost is always associated with other anomalies such as hepatic tumors and cardiac malformations. This case report describes a 3-year-old girl with a congenital absence of the portal vein, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) of the liver, and a congenital choledochal cyst (CCC). Angiography findings showed the mesenteric vein and splenic vein to be joined together to form a common trunk that entered the inferior vena cava directly above the liver. This is the first known reported case of CAPV with concurrent CCC. J Pediatr Surg 36:622-625.