A case of biliary atresia with duplication of the common bile duct

Duplication of the extrahepatic bile duct

Duplication of the extrahepatic bile duct is an extremely rare anomaly. There are five types of this anomaly, with type V being the least common variant. Only two cases of type V (one each of type Va and type Vb) have been reported. Here we report the second case of type Va duplication of the common bile duct presenting with choledocholithiasis. The patient underwent open choledocholithotomy and T-tube choledochostomy after failed endoscopic stone clearance. Duplication of the bile duct was detected on T-tube cholangiogram, which was confirmed by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP). No associated pancreaticobiliary maljunction was found on the imaging.

MR cholangiography in the evaluation of neonatal cholestasis: initial results

PURPOSE

To retrospectively analyze prospective magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiographic interpretations of findings and compare them with clinical outcome and to determine the accuracy of MR cholangiography in depicting extrahepatic biliary atresia and helping to distinguish it from other causes of neonatal jaundice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six infants (15 male, 11 female; median age, 2 months) underwent MR cholangiography with a 1.5-T MR imaging unit. Original interpretations were compared with clinical outcome. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the accuracy of MR cholangiography in depicting extrahepatic biliary atresia. Equivocal cases and any cases lost to follow-up were excluded.

RESULTS

Findings in six of 26 infants were interpreted as normal, and none of five patients (one lost to follow-up) had biliary atresia or other surgical lesions; two were abnormal but not suggestive of biliary atresia (one false-negative finding); 12 were consistent with biliary atresia (three false-positive findings); four demonstrated a choledochal cyst; and two were equivocal. MR cholangiography accuracy was 82% (19 of 23); sensitivity, 90% (nine of 10); and specificity, 77% (10 of 13) for the detection of extrahepatic biliary atresia, with a positive predictive value of 75% (nine of 12) and a negative predictive value of 91% (10 of 11).

CONCLUSION

Results of this study found that MR cholangiography is 82% accurate, 90% sensitive, and 77% specific for depicting extrahepatic biliary atresia. Contrary to previous reports, false-positive and false-negative findings occur at MR cholangiography.