Prenatal ultrasonographic appearance of type IIId (uncorrectable type with cystic dilatation) biliary atresia

Abstract.

Although prenatal ultrasonographic (US) diagnosis has been reported in biliary atresia (BA), most cases are type I (correctable with cystic dilatation). We report three prenatal cases of type IIId BA (uncorrectable with cystic dilatation). Routine fetal US at 22 to 24 weeks of gestation showed two communicating cystic lesions 12 to 16 mm in diameter. On color Doppler US, the lesions were separate from the portal vein or hepatic artery. The size did not change during the prenatal period in any case. Choledochal cyst (CC) was considered the most likely diagnosis, although BA with cystic lesions was also considered. After birth, the patients developed acholic stools and prolonged neonatal jaundice. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy showed negative passage. Duodenal fluid showed a negative or slightly positive Gmelin test. The neonates underwent laparotomy at the age of 36, 46, and 32 days, respectively. Intraoperative cholangiography showed the gallbladder and slightly-dilated common-bile duct without entering the proximal or distal bile ducts in all cases. They were classified as type IIId BA and underwent excision of the cystic lesions and dissection of the portal bile-duct remnants, followed by hepatic portoenterostomy. Case 1 showed persistent jaundice and finally underwent liver transplantation (LTx), case 2 became anicteric. Case 3 remained jaundiced and is to undergo LTx. In conclusion, type IIId BA may be one of the differential diagnoses when a cystic lesion is detected under the hepatic hilum by fetal US. However, prenatal diagnosis of BA is still difficult with respect to differentiation from a CC or type I BA. Early postnatal diagnosis followed by immediate treatment is important, especially in type IIId BA.