Role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in diagnosis and management of congenital choledochal cysts: 28 pediatric cases

Type III choledochal cyst confirmed by aspiration and treated with endoscopic fenestration plus internal drainage: A case report

BACKGROUND

Type III choledochal cysts (CCs) are extremely rare, and they present as dilatations and herniations of the end of the common bile duct into the duodenum. Moreover, type II CCs may be easily misdiagnosed as intraduodenal polyps or tumors. Thus, adequate differential diagnosis and selection of appropriate treatment are important.

CASE SUMMARY

A young man with a duodenal mass presented with 3-year intermittent abdominal pain and acute pancreatitis 3 days before hospitalization. After evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic ultrasonography, the duodenal papilla was pressed, and the bile flowed out slowly, which was speculated to be the cause of his symptoms. The lesion was punctured with a submucosal injection needle, and golden clear fluid was aspirated. Laboratory tests of the aspirate after 50-fold dilution revealed significantly elevated total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, amylase and lipase. Taken together, these findings confirmed that the lesion was a type III CC. The patient underwent fused surgical procedures. Fenestration plus internal drainage of the lesion was subsequently performed with a DualKnife. After drainage, the incision was sealed with tissue clips. During follow-up, the patient recovered well, and no abdominal pain symptoms or acute pancreatitis recurred.

CONCLUSION

Laboratory tests of cyst aspirates are beneficial for diagnosis, and endoscopic fenestration plus internal drainage works well to mitigate cysts.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in children with pediatric congenital biliary dilatation associated with pancreatobiliary maljunction: experience from a tertiary center

Background

Congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) is a congenital malformation of the main biliary tract usually associated with the pancreatobiliary maljunction (PBM), determining stone formation, cholangitis, pancreatitis, and cholangiocarcinoma. The role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in treatment and diagnosis has not been established yet. Therefore, the aim of our study is to define the actual role of ERCP in children with CBD.

Methods

A retrospective review of consecutive patients with congenital biliary dilatation undergoing preoperative ERCP and subsequent surgical treatment at our pediatric tertiary referral center (Endoscopy and Digestive Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy) was performed between 2012 and 2023.

Results

A total of 31 patients were included in the present study. Preoperative ERCP detected a PBM in 28 patients (90%). According to Todani's classification, 2 patients (6.5%) had choledochal cyst (CC) type IV, and 29 patients (93.5%) were diagnosed with CC type I. In 18 (58%) patients, ERCP was performed for treating acute pancreatitis. Sphincterotomy could be performed in 23 of 31 (74%) patients. Patients who did not undergo sphincterotomy had a higher number of acute episodes while awaiting surgery.

Conclusions

The present study is supportive of an essential role of ERCP in the diagnostic and preoperative management of children with CBD with acute presentation or inconclusive magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography findings.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Bangladeshi Children: Experiences and Challenges in a Developing Country

PURPOSE

Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been used for more than five decades, its applicability in Bangladeshi children has recently become more common. Therefore, this manuscript aims to describe our experience in performing ERCPs in Bangladeshi children with hepatopancreaticobiliary diseases, focusing on presenting diseases, as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy.

METHODS

Between 2018 and 2021, 20 children underwent 30 ERCP procedures at the Bangladesh Specialized Hospital, Dhaka. A single trained adult gastroenterologist performed all procedures using a therapeutic video duodenoscope. The indications for ERCP, diagnostic findings, therapeutic procedures, and complications were documented.

RESULTS

The median age of the study patients was 10 years (range, 1.7-15 years). Successful cannulation of the papilla was achieved in 28 procedures and failed in 2 cases. Repeated ERCP was required in seven patients. Nine patients had biliary indications and 11 had pancreatic indications. Choledocholithiasis was the most common indication for ERCP in patients with biliary disease, while chronic pancreatitis was common among patients with pancreatic indications. Pancreatic divisum was observed in only one patient. Pancreatic and biliary sphincterotomy was performed in 14 and 9 cases, respectively. A single pigtail or straight therapeutic stent was inserted in seven cases and removed in five cases. Stone extraction was performed in six procedures, and balloon dilatation was performed in five procedures. The post-procedural period for these patients was uneventful.

CONCLUSION

We found that ERCP is a practical and successful therapeutic intervention for treating hepatopancreaticobiliary disorders in children when performed by experienced endoscopists.

Clinical comparison between the presence and absence of protein plugs in pediatric choledochal cysts: experience in 390 patients over 30 years in a single center

Purpose

The incidence of choledochal cyst (CC) with protein plugs is between 15.5%-40.4%. However, studies on CCs with protein plugs in children are limited. We aimed to analyze the clinical features, surgical findings, and complications of pediatric CCs with and without protein plugs.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 390 patients who underwent surgery for CCs between January 1987 and September 2017. The patients were divided into 2 groups: groups A (CC with protein plugs) and B (CC without protein plugs). The presence of protein plugs was evaluated using preoperative images or identified during surgery.

Results

One hundred forty-two (36.4%) patients had protein plugs in the pancreaticobiliary duct. The most common initial clinical presentation was abdominal pain, and its incidence was significantly higher in group A (66.2%) than in group B (54.8%) (P = 0.032). The incidence of accompanying pancreatitis was also significantly higher in group A (37.3% vs. 27.0%) (P = 0.040). Anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union (APBDU) was found in 261 patients (66.9%) and its incidence was significantly higher in group A (74.6% vs. 62.5%) (P = 0.014). Most protein plugs were found in the cyst (88.0%) and common channel (31.7%). The incidence of early complications was higher in group A; conversely, that of late complications did not differ.

Conclusion

Approximately 36.4% of the pediatric CC patients were accompanied by protein plugs. Abdominal pain, pancreatitis, and APBDU were more commonly observed among those with protein plugs than among those without; long-term complications did not differ between them.

A giant choledochal cyst: A case reported from Tanzania

INTRODUCTION

Choledochal cyst is a rare common bile duct malformation that usually presents in the pediatric group with abdominal pain, distension, and jaundice. The pathophysiology remains unclear for the cause, and surgery aims to restore biliary enteric drainage.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a six-year-old female who presented with gradual abdominal distention associated with jaundice. Abdominal ultrasound was suggestive of choledochal cyst, and CT-scan confirmed the diagnosis. She was operated on successfully and fared well.

CONCLUSION

Choledochal cysts are a rare entity of common bile duct malformations and should be considered as a differential diagnosis in the pediatric age group. Diagnosis can be easily made by non-invasive and in-expensive radiologic modalities like ultrasonography in resource-limited settings.

Pancreatobiliary Endoscopic Interventions for Pediatric Pancreatic Pathology

Despite the increased global recognition of pediatric pancreatic diseases, there are limited data on the utility of sophisticated endoscopic procedures such as endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in their management. Promising results of recent studies have highlighted the emerging therapeutic utility of EUS and ERCP in children. With these latest developments in mind, this article reviews the current literature regarding diagnostic and therapeutic uses, benefits, limitations, and clinical outcomes of EUS and ERCP in pediatric pancreatology.

Pediatric Endoscopy, Update 2020

Optimal management of pediatric endoscopy requires a multidisciplinary approach. In most hospitals, endoscopy in pediatric patients is performed by conventional gastroenterologists and only a few centers have specialized pediatric gastroenterologists. This is due to the fact that the number of pediatric gastroenterologists is limited and not all of them are experienced in endoscopic techniques. However, there are also some pediatric centers offering a high-quality and high-volume endoscopy service provided by very experienced pediatric gastroenterologists. Up to now, the literature on pediatric endoscopy is rather sparse. In this article, we describe current knowledge and practice of endoscopic procedures in pediatric patients, which should be relevant for both the adult and pediatric gastroenterologists.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in children with symptomatic pancreaticobiliary maljunction: A retrospective multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been widely used in pediatric patients with cholangiopancreatic diseases.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and long-term follow-up results of ERCP in symptomatic pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM).

METHODS

A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted on 75 pediatric patients who were diagnosed with PBM and underwent therapeutic ERCP at three endoscopy centers between January 2008 and March 2019. They were divided into four PBM groups based on the fluoroscopy in ERCP. Their clinical characteristics, specific ERCP procedures, adverse events, and long-term follow-up results were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Totally, 112 ERCPs were performed on the 75 children with symptomatic PBM. Clinical manifestations included abdominal pain (62/75, 82.7%), vomiting (35/75, 46.7%), acholic stool (4/75, 5.3%), fever (3/75, 4.0%), acute pancreatitis (47/75, 62.7%), hyperbilirubinemia (13/75, 17.3%), and elevated liver enzymes (22/75, 29.3%). ERCP interventions included endoscopic sphincterotomy, endoscopic retrograde biliary or pancreatic drainage, stone extraction, etc. Procedure-related complications were observed in 12 patients and included post-ERCP pancreatitis (9/75, 12.0%), gastrointestinal bleeding (1/75, 1.3%), and infection (2/75, 2.7%). During a mean follow-up period of 46 mo (range: 2 to 134 mo), ERCP therapy alleviated the biliary obstruction and reduced the incidence of pancreatitis. The overall effective rate of ERCP therapy was 82.4%; seven patients (9.3%) were lost to follow-up, eight (11.8%) re-experienced pancreatitis, and eleven (16.2%) underwent radical surgery, known as prophylactic excision of the extrahepatic bile duct and hepaticojejunostomy.

CONCLUSION

ERCP is a safe and effective treatment option to relieve biliary or pancreatic obstruction in symptomatic PBM, with the characteristics of minor trauma, fewer complications, and repeatability.

Rare variant of pancreaticobiliary maljunction associated with pancreas divisum in a child diagnosed and treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: A case report

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is an uncommon congenital anomaly of the pancreatic and biliary ductal system, defined as a union of the pancreatic and biliary ducts located outside the duodenal wall. According to the Komi classification of PBM, the common bile duct (CBD) directly fuses with the ventral pancreatic duct in all types. Pancreas divisum (PD) occurs when the ventral and dorsal ducts of the embryonic pancreas fail to fuse during the second month of fetal development. The coexistence of PBM and PD is an infrequent condition. Here, we report an unusual variant of PBM associated with PD in a pediatric patient, in whom an anomalous communication existed between the CBD and dorsal pancreatic duct.

CASE SUMMARY

A boy aged 4 years and 2 mo was hospitalized for abdominal pain with nausea and jaundice for 5 d. Abdominal ultrasound showed cholecystitis with cholestasis in the gallbladder, dilated middle-upper CBD, and a strong echo in the lower CBD, indicating biliary stones. The diagnosis was extrahepatic biliary obstruction caused by biliary stones, which is an indication for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). ERCP was performed to remove biliary stones. During the ERCP, we found a rare communication between the CBD and dorsal pancreatic duct. After clearing the CBD with a balloon, an 8.5 Fr 4-cm pigtail plastic pancreatic stent was placed in the biliary duct through the major papilla. Six months later, his biliary stent was removed after he had no symptoms and normal laboratory tests. In the following 4-year period, the child grew up normally with no more attacks of abdominal pain.

CONCLUSION

We consider that ERCP is effective and safe in pediatric patients with PBM combined with PD, and can be the initial therapy to manage such cases, especially when it is combined with aberrant communication between the CBD and dorsal pancreatic duct.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in children: Retrospective series with a long-term follow-up and literature review

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To investigate the safety and long-term results of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in children with a literature review.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients within the age range of 6-17 years who underwent ERCP between 1994 and 2014 at our institution were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULT

Twenty-four patients with a median age of 15 years underwent ERCP. Cannulation of the papilla was achieved in all patients (100%) without the use of needle-knife papillotomy. Before 1999, ERCP was used as a diagnostic method only in 7 patients (29%). In 17 (71%) patients, the procedure was used for therapeutic purposes. The indications were choledocholithiasis (10 cases, 42%), postoperative complications (5 patients, 21%), and recurrent pancreatitis (2 cases, 8%). In 2 patients (8%), the therapeutic effect was not achieved, thus requiring subsequent operations. There were no major complications. Mild pancreatitis occurred in only 1 patient (4%). Long-term follow-up information was obtained in 16 (67%) patients (median, 18 years; range, 3.5-22.5 years), and no long-term complications were detected.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a valuable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatobiliary disorders in the pediatric population. Large-scale studies are required to create evidence-based guidelines specific to children.

Endoscopic biliary drainage management for children with serious cholangitis caused by congenital biliary dilatation

Congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) is usually associated with complications such as recurrent cholangitis, manifested as abdominal pain, vomiting, and jaundice. If cholangitis cannot be controlled by conservative treatment, a good therapeutic effect can be obtained through percutaneous biliary drainage or open T-tube drainage. We aimed to evaluate our experiences in biliary drainage through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in children with cholangitis caused by CBD. From January 2014 to December 2017, 167 children with CBD were treated in our hospital. 17 patients (10.18%) with serious cholangitis caused by CBD underwent ERCP. There were 4 males and 13 females with an age range of 10-120 months (average 56.4 months). Placement of a biliary stent was attempted for biliary drainage through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Of the 17 patients studied, 13 children had jaundice and 15 had elevated aminotransferases. ERCP showed CBD in all patients and a common biliopancreatic duct in 12 of 17 patients (70.6%). Five patients underwent nasobiliary drainage and 12 patients underwent biliary drainage through double pigtail tubes. All patients achieved successful biliary drainage. Postoperative pancreatitis occurred in one patient. Biochemical indicators decreased significantly in 12 patients (70.6%) on the second postoperative day. The average length of hospital stay after surgery was 4.5 (range 3-7) days. No major complications related to ERCP were observed and all children had a good prognosis so far. Endoscopic biliary drainage is a safe, simple, and reliable technique. It can be used to resolve CBD-associated cholangitis, evaluate the biliary tract and pancreatobiliary duct junction, and guide pediatric surgeons to choose the right time and the correct procedure for CBD.

Endoscopic therapy for patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction: a follow-up study

Background

Data on the experience of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the management of pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is limited.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients with PBM who underwent therapeutic ERCP at our endoscopy center between January 2008 and January 2016 was performed. Demographic, clinical, radiological and endoscopic data was documented. Patients who underwent sphincterotomy were divided into dilated group and undilated group based on their common channel diameter.

Results

Sixty-three PBM patients underwent 74 ERCP procedures. The technical success rate was 97.3%. ERCP therapy significantly decreased the levels of elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. After an average of 27 months follow-up, 7 patients (11.1%) were lost. The overall effective rate of ERCP therapy was 60.7% (34/56). Decline in severity and frequency of abdominal pain was significant. Procedure-related complications were observed in 5 (6.8%) cases. Between the dilated group and undilated group, no significant difference was observed in effective rate, adverse events and follow-up results.

Conclusions

ERCP can serve as a transitional step to stabilize PBM patients before definitive surgery. PBM patients with undilated common channel could benefit from sphincterotomy as well as those with dilated common channel.

Pediatric choledochal cysts: diagnosis and current management

Choledochal cysts are rare congenital disorders first described by Vater and Ezler in 1723. Their exact etiology remains incompletely understood; however, an anomalous pancreaticobiliary union (APBDU) and subsequent reflux of biliary contents into the biliary tree are thought to play a role. Accordingly, APBDU-associated choledochal cyst patients are significantly more likely to have evidence of hepatitis, cholangitis or pancreatitis and pathologically confirmed inflammation. In 1977, Todani and colleagues modified the original Alonso-Lej classification to include five types of CC. Type I and IV are the most common and most likely to be associated with malignancy. The majority of choledochal cysts are diagnosed in childhood. Clinical presentation varies and most often consists of nonspecific abdominal pain. Diagnosis is typically accomplished using multimodality imaging techniques including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and MRCP. The use of diagnostic PTC and ERCP in CC has been largely replaced by MRCP. Appropriate management consists of prompt, complete cyst excision followed by restoration of biliary enteric continuity when necessary. Minimally invasive CC resection in the pediatric population has demonstrated acceptable outcomes. Prognosis is generally excellent; however, malignancy risk remains higher than the general population even after complete surgical excision.

Complications in pediatric endoscopy

The experience of the "endoscopic community" in pediatric patients is limited, but during recent years increased skills of the endoscopists and technological improvements lead to a standardization of pediatric endoscopy and the development of specialized pediatric endoscopy unit. Adverse events related to diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy in children are usually rare. Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of complications in pediatric endoscopy is crucial when dealing with benign diseases in children. The complication rate of diagnostic EGD and colonoscopy in children are extremely low. Therapeutic procedures have obviously an increased rate of adverse events. Esophageal dilations are the most common indication for endoscopic therapy in children and can lead to perforations which requires prompt diagnosis and management. Complications of ERCP in pediatric age are similar to those reported in adults. The experience in pediatric emergency endoscopy (mainly foreign body removal) is consolidated and related adverse events extremely rare. Sedation of children during endoscopy maybe needs further evaluation and standardization, to reduce the rate of specific complications.

Treatment of choledochal cyst in a pediatric population. A single institution experience of 15-years. Case series

Background

Choledochal cyst (CC) is a rare congenital anomaly of the bile duct that approximately 75% of the patients are diagnosed in childhood. Without a standardized surgical procedure for the biliary reconstruction, we present our experience over the last 15 years and show the differences between the biliary reconstructions techniques in our population.

Methods

We did a retrospective hospital archive search for patients admitted to the pediatric surgery department with the diagnosis of a choledochal cyst from January 2000 to June 2015.

Results

We found 15 patients, of which, 1 was excluded because of missing data from the hospital record. Of the remaining 14, eight had hepaticojejunal (HY) anastomosis in Roux-en-Y, with a 25% rate of complications; six had hepatoduodenal (HD) anastomosis with a rate of complications of 16.6%. The average hospital length of stay in the group of HD vs. HY was 14 ± 1.6-days vs. 19 ± 8.2-days respectively.

Discussion

There are no standardized surgical reconstruction techniques of the biliary tract after the CC excision, there is literature that supports the biliary reconstruction with an HY and an HD without a distinct advantage over one or the other. Conclusion: In our series HD anastomosis represents a safe procedure with fewer complications than HY.

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Choledochal cyst is a rare disease either in pediatrics or adults.

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In the most common type of CC, the surgical excision is the gold standard.

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The reconstruction of the biliary tract in the case of CC is not standardized.

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We present the outcome of our series of patients that either HY or HD were performed.

Changing pattern of indications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in children and adolescents: a twelve-year experience

BACKGROUND

There are few data regarding endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) usefulness in children and adolescents. We reviewed the long-term experience with diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP in a tertiary single center in Southern Brazil.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients aged 0-18 years who had undergone ERCPs from January 2000 to June 2012 was done. Data on demographics, indications, diagnosis, treatments, and complications were collected.

RESULTS

Seventy-five ERCPs were performed in 60 patients. The median age of the patients at the procedure was 13.9 years (range: 1.2-17.9). Of the 60 patients, 47 (78.3%) were girls. Of all ERCPs, 48 (64.0%) were performed in patients above 10 years and 35 (72.9%) of them were in girls. ERCP was indicated for patients with bile duct obstruction (49.3%), sclerosing cholangitis (18.7%), post-surgery complication (12%), biliary stent (10.7%), choledochal cyst (5.3%), and pancreatitis (4%). The complication rate of ERCP was 9.7% involving mild bleeding, pancreatitis and cholangitis. Patients who had therapeutic procedures were older (13.7±3.9 vs. 9.9±4.9 years; P=0.001) and had more extrahepatic biliary abnormalities (82% vs. 50%; P=0.015) than those who had diagnostic ERCPs. A marked change in the indications of ERCPs was found, i.e., from 2001 to 2004, indications were more diagnostic and from 2005 therapeutic procedures were predominant.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostic ERCPs are being replaced by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and also by endoscopic ultrasound. All these procedures are complementary and ERCP still has a role for therapeutic purposes.

Modifications in endoscopic practice for pediatric patients

We recommend that endoscopy in children be performed by pediatric-trained endoscopists whenever possible. We recommend that adult-trained endoscopists coordinate their services with pediatricians and pediatric specialists when they are needed to perform endoscopic procedures in children. We recommend that endoscopy be performed within 24 hours in symptomatic pediatric patients with known or suspected ingestion of caustic substances. We recommend emergent foreign-body removal of esophageal button batteries, as well as 2 or more rare-earth neodymium magnets. We recommend that procedural and resuscitative equipment appropriate for pediatric use should be readily available during endoscopic procedures. We recommend that personnel trained specifically in pediatric life support and airway management be readily available during sedated procedures in children. We recommend the use of endoscopes smaller than 6 mm in diameter in infants and children weighing less than 10 kg. We recommend the use of standard adult duodenoscopes for performing ERCP in children who weigh at least 10 kg. We recommend the placement of 12F or 16F percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes in children who weigh less than 50 kg.

Robotic-assisted surgery approach in a biliary rhabdomyosarcoma misdiagnosed as choledochal cyst

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a soft tissue malignant tumor affecting 1% of children from 0 to 14 years. Preoperative imaging may not always be diagnostic for hepatobiliary rhabdomyosarcoma and differential diagnosis with choledochal cyst (CC) could be difficult. We report a case of 2-years-old girl with a strange CC pattern of presentation. A grapelike lesion involving the choledochal and biliary ducts was easily and completely resected by robotic assisted surgery. Since no previous reports were available about oncologic safety of robotic approach, the porto-enterostomy was performed in open surgery. On histologic examination, the specimen revealed a botryoidembryonal rhabdomyosarcoma affecting both the common bile duct and the common hepatic duct. One year postoperatively the child is safe of tumor relapse. Robotic approach seems to be safe and advantageous to obtain a radical excision of the tumor at the porta hepatis, even in case of misdiagnosed malignant lesion mimicking a CC.

Role of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in diagnosing choledochal cysts: Case series and review

AIM: To determine the merits of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) as the primary diagnostic test for choledochal cysts (CC’s).

METHODS: Between 2009 and 2012, patients who underwent MRCP for perioperative diagnosis were identified. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, and radiographic findings were recorded. MRCP results were compared with intraoperative findings. A PubMed search identified studies published between 1996-2012, employing MRCP as the primary preoperative imaging and comparing results with either endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or operative findings. Detection rates for CC’s and abnormal pancreaticobiliary junction (APBJ) were calculated. In addition detection rates for clinically related biliary pathology like choledocholithiasis and cholangiocarcinomas in patients diagnosed with CC’s were also evaluated.

RESULTS: Eight patients were identified with CC’s. Six patients out of them had type IV CC’s, 1 had type I and 1 had a new variant of choledochal cyst with confluent dilatation of the common bile duct (CBD) and cystic duct. Seven patients had an APBJ and 3 of those had a long common-channel. Gallstones were found in 2 patients, 1 had a CBD stone, and 1 pancreatic-duct stone was also detected. In all cases, MRCP successfully identified the type of CC’s, as well as APBJ with ductal stones. From analyzing the literature, we found that MRCP has 96%-100% detection rate for CC’s. Additionally, we found that the range for sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy was 53%-100%, 90%-100% and 56%-100% in diagnosing APBJ. MRCP’s detection rate was 100% for choledocholithiasis and 87% for cholangiocarcinomas with concurrent CC’s.

CONCLUSION: After initial ultrasound and computed tomography scan, MRCP should be the next diagnostic test in both adult and pediatric patients. ERCP should be reserved for patients where therapeutic intervention is needed.

Endoscopic approach to the patient with congenital anomalies of the biliary tract

Congenital biliary tract anomalies typically present with neonatal cholestasis. In children and adults, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound are used to evaluate and treat choledochal cysts. Contrarily, endoscopy has traditionally played a minor role in the diagnosis of the cholestatic infant. Recent studies support the incorporation of ERCP into the diagnostic algorithm for biliary atresia and neonatal cholestasis. But at present, most pediatric liver centers do not consider its use essential. This article reviews the congenital biliary tract anomalies in which endoscopy has been shown to contribute to the evaluation of the cholestatic infant.