Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2015 Sep;18(3):180-186. 10.5223/pghn.2015.18.3.180.

Asymptomatic Bile Duct Dilatation in Children: Is It a Disease?

• Son YJ
• Lee MJ
• Koh H
• Kim S

• KMID: 2068795
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2015.18.3.180

Abstract

PURPOSE
Bile duct dilatation is a relatively common sonographic finding; nevertheless, its clinical significance in children is controversial because little research has been done in the area. Therefore, we investigated the natural course and clinical significance of biliary duct dilatation in children.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of 181 children (range, 1-day-old to 17-year-old) in whom dilatation of the intrahepatic duct and/or common hepatic duct and/or common bile duct was detected by abdominal ultrasonography at the Severance Children's Hospital between November 2005 and March 2014. We reviewed and analyzed laboratory test results, clinical manifestations, and clinical course in these patients.
RESULTS
Pediatric patients (n=181) were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups. The first group included 59 subjects, without definitive cause of bile duct dilatation, who did not require treatment; the second group included 122 subjects, with definitive cause of bile duct dilatation or underlying biliary disease, who did require treatment. In the first group, 24 patients (40.7%) showed spontaneous resolution of bile duct dilatation, 20 patients (33.9%) showed no change, and 15 patients (25.4%) were lost to follow-up. In the second group, 31 patients were diagnosed with choledochal cysts, and 91 patients presented with biliary tract dilatations due to secondary causes, such as gallbladder or liver disease, post-operative complications, or malignancy.
CONCLUSION
Biliary dilatation in pediatric patients without symptoms, and without laboratory and other sonographic abnormalities, showed a benign clinical course. No pathologic conditions were noted on follow-up ultrasonography.

Keyword

Biliary tract diseases; Dilatation; Child

MeSH Terms

Bile Ducts*
Bile*
Biliary Tract
Biliary Tract Diseases
Child*
Choledochal Cyst
Common Bile Duct
Dilatation*
Follow-Up Studies
Gallbladder
Hepatic Duct, Common
Humans
Liver Diseases
Lost to Follow-Up
Retrospective Studies
Ultrasonography

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Patient flow chart.

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  Fig. 2 Distribution of study population, presumed cause of bile duct dilatation, and outcome of primary ductal dilatation on follow-up. Of 181 patients with ductal dilatations, 59 (32.6%) had primary ductal dilatations.

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