Pediatric surgical images: MRCP evaluation of choledochal cysts

Choledochal cyst - presentation and treatment in an adult

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

NONE DECLARED Choledochal cyst is a congenital cystic dilation of a part of bile duct that occurs most commonly in the main part of common bile duct. Diagnosis of choledochal cyst is concluded upon disproportionate expansion of extrahepatic bile duct. Symptom trias are: abdominal pain, jaundice and abdominal mass represent clinical guideline signs of diagnosis. Furthermore, hepato-biliary diseases in adults can conceal the primary condition. In addition to this, ultrasound, CT, MRI, cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), transhepatic percutane cholangiography (PTC) guide us for a detailed examination in order to verify the diagnosis. Active endoscopic cholangiography represents an important technique that provides needed anatomic solution and details in diagnosis of choledochal cyst.

Approach to a patient with elevated serum alkaline phosphatase

Cholestasis develops either from a defect in bile synthesis, impairment in bile secretion, or obstruction to bile flow, and is characterized by an elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase disproportionate to elevation of aminotransferase enzymes. Key elements to the diagnostic workup include visualization of the biliary tree by cholangiography and evaluation of liver histology. The hope is that recent advances in understanding the genetic factors and immune mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of cholestasis will lead to newer therapeutic interventions in the treatment of these diseases.

Diagnosis and treatment of pancreaticobiliary maljunction in children

Pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM), which may be called by synonymous terms such as "anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary duct" or "anomalous union of biliopancreatic ducts," is defined as an anatomical maljunction of the pancreatic duct and the biliary duct outside of the duodenal wall beyond the influence of the sphincter of Oddi. Pancreaticobiliary maljunction is classified into three groups according to the type of the pancreaticobiliary junction. Pancreaticobiliary maljunction is diagnosed mainly by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; however, in pediatric patients, it may be diagnosed by intraoperative cholangiography, and more recently has been diagnosed by computed tomographic cholangiography or contrast-enhanced helical computed tomography. Children with PBM without choledochal cysts usually do not show any symptoms except for abdominal pain and hyperamylasemia. Pancreaticobiliary maljunction is considered to be a major risk factor for biliary tract malignancy. In patients with PBM, free reflux of pancreatic juice into the biliary tract might induce biliary tract damage and biliary carcinogenesis. Thus, total resection of the extrahepatic bile duct and hepaticojejunostomy are recommended in children diagnosed with PBM with choledochal cyst. Early diagnosis and early surgical treatment provide a good prognosis with few complications. In addition, successive follow-up is necessary for early detection of biliary tract malignancy, especially in patients demonstrating postoperative complications.

Usefulness of axial planes of helical computed tomography for diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction in early infants with negative findings on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

PURPOSE

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is not sufficient to detect pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) in young infants because the main pancreatic duct is not visualized and respiratory artifacts occur. To our knowledge, there are no reports highlighting the diagnostic accuracy of evaluation using the axial planes of helical computed tomographic (CT) scanning with contrast medium instead of 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. The aim of this study was to describe our experience and the characteristics of 3 children with PBM diagnosed using the axial planes of helical CT with contrast medium, although they showed negative findings of PBM by MRCP, instead of 3D reconstruction.

METHODS

Three patients aged from 1 month to 3 years were diagnosed with PBM using the axial planes of helical CT with contrast medium though MRCP could not show the common channel and/or the entrance of the common channel into the duodenum.

RESULTS

In all 3 patients, PBM of the common channel was not revealed by MRCP. On the other hand, axial planes of contrast-enhanced helical CT scans showed PBM clearly.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience suggests that axial planes of the contrast-enhanced helical CT scan comprise an accurate tool for the diagnosis of fusiform-type PBM and could replace MRCP in younger children. Further studies are necessary for better assessment of the potential advantages and pitfalls of this modality.

Pancreatic and peripancreatic diseases mimicking primary pancreatic neoplasia

A variety of anatomic variants and pathologic conditions in and around the pancreas may simulate primary pancreatic neoplasia at routine abdominal cross-sectional imaging. An ambiguous lesion whose appearance suggests a pancreatic origin requires a broad differential diagnosis that can subsequently be narrowed on the basis of both clinical history and features at optimal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Pancreas-specific multidetector CT and MR imaging techniques with thin collimation, multiplanar and multiphasic scans, and newly introduced curved planar reformation may help avoid potential diagnostic pitfalls. These techniques can help identify and characterize a mass in multiple viewing planes, thereby helping distinguish a true pancreatic neoplasm from peripancreatic adenopathy or from a tumor of the adjacent duodenum or small bowel. They can also help determine the cause of a tumor. It is important that the radiologist be familiar with the wide spectrum of anatomic variants and disease entities that can mimic primary pancreatic neoplasia in order to initiate the appropriate lesion-specific work-up and treatment and avoid unnecessary tests or procedures, including surgery.

Biliary cystic disease

Cystic diseases of the biliary tract encompass a complex group of congenital disorders. Some of the disorders, such as Caroli disease and the hepatobiliary cysts of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease, share common embryologic origins, whereas others, such as choledochal cysts, biliary diverticula, and choledochoceles, have unclear origins. This article reviews the embryologic, clinical, pathologic, and imaging features of biliary cystic disease.

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.

Pancreas and biliary system: imaging of developmental anomalies and diseases unique to children

The focus of this article is on the development of the pancreas and biliary system, with a review of the most common congenital anomalies affecting the pancreas and biliary tree, including pancreas divisum, annular pancreas, congenital shortening of the pancreas, and choledochal cysts. Additionally, biliary atresia and pancreatoblastoma--both diseases of the pancreas and biliary system that almost exclusively affect children--are considered, with a discussion regarding the clinical presentation and imaging appearances of these disorders.