Diseases of bile duct in children

World J Gastroenterol. 2024 Mar 7;30(9):1043-1072. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i9.1043.

Abstract

Several diseases originate from bile duct pathology. Despite studies on these diseases, certain etiologies of some of them still cannot be concluded. The most common disease of the bile duct in newborns is biliary atresia, whose prognosis varies according to the age of surgical correction. Other diseases such as Alagille syndrome, inspissated bile duct syndrome, and choledochal cysts are also time-sensitive because they can cause severe liver damage due to obstruction. The majority of these diseases present with cholestatic jaundice in the newborn or infant period, which is quite difficult to differentiate regarding clinical acumen and initial investigations. Intraoperative cholangiography is potentially necessary to make an accurate diagnosis, and further treatment will be performed synchronously or planned as findings suggest. This article provides a concise review of bile duct diseases, with interesting cases.

Keywords: Bile duct; Biliary atresia; Biliary hypoplasia; Biliary imaging; Choledochal cyst; Cholestasis; Inspissated bile syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bile Duct Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Bile Duct Diseases* / etiology
  • Bile Duct Diseases* / therapy
  • Bile Ducts / diagnostic imaging
  • Bile Ducts / surgery
  • Biliary Atresia* / diagnosis
  • Biliary Atresia* / surgery
  • Child
  • Cholangiography
  • Choledochal Cyst* / diagnosis
  • Choledochal Cyst* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn