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Early US findings of biliary atresia in infants younger than 30 days

  • Paediatric
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate and compare ultrasound (US) findings for the diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA) in infants younger than 30 days with those of infants older than 30 days.

Materials and Methods

From 2000 to 2015, we reviewed hepatobiliary US images in 12 BA infants younger than 30 days (younger BA group) and 62 BA infants older than 30 days (older BA group) before Kasai procedure. Eight (67%) of younger BA group underwent follow-up US examinations before Kasai procedure. Our review of the images focused on triangular cord sign, gallbladder (GB) abnormalities, vascular changes, and signs of portal hypertension.

Results

The triangular cord sign was present in 17% of younger BA group and in 56% of older BA group (P=.024). GB abnormalities were commonly identified in both groups. The hepatic artery diameter was significantly smaller in younger BA group than in older BA group (P<.001). Signs of portal hypertension were less common in younger BA group (17%) than in older BA group (84%) (P<.001). Follow-up US of two infants in younger BA group showed a new appearance of the triangular cord sign.

Conclusion

BA infants younger than 30 days showed atypical US findings compared with those older than 30 days.

Key Points

• BA infants younger than 30 days show atypical US findings.

• GB abnormalities were common in both younger and older BA group.

• Subsequent US examination may be helpful to diagnose BA in young infants.

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Funding

The authors state that this work has not received any funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Centre, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 06351

    Sook Min Hwang, Tae Yeon Jeon, So-Young Yoo & Ji Hye Kim

  2. Department of Paediatrics, Samsung Medical Centre, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Korea

    Yon Ho Choe

  3. Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Centre, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Korea

    Suk-Koo Lee

Authors
  1. Sook Min Hwang
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  2. Tae Yeon Jeon
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  3. So-Young Yoo
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  4. Yon Ho Choe
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  5. Suk-Koo Lee
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  6. Ji Hye Kim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tae Yeon Jeon.

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Guarantor

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Tae Yeon Jeon.

Conflict of interest

The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies, whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

Statistics and biometry

One of the authors has significant statistical expertise.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was waived by the Institutional Review Board.

Ethical approval

Institutional Review Board approval was obtained.

Methodology

• retrospective

• case-control study

• performed at one institution

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Hwang, S.M., Jeon, T.Y., Yoo, SY. et al. Early US findings of biliary atresia in infants younger than 30 days. Eur Radiol 28, 1771–1777 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5092-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5092-5

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