Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Application of the En Bloc Concept Combined with Anatomic Resection in Laparoscopic Hepatectomy
Published on: March 10, 2023
Multidetector computed tomography hepatic findings in children with end-stage biliary atresia
Settimo Caruso1, Roberto Miraglia, Mariapina Milazzo
1Department of Radiology, Istituto Mediterraneo Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione, Via Tricomi 1, 90127 Palermo, Italy. secaruso@ismett.edu
Insights
Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) effectively visualizes anatomical and vascular details in end-stage biliary atresia (BA) patients, aiding surgical planning. This study highlights numerous veno-venous communications in BA, a novel finding.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Hepatology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Biliary atresia (BA) is a severe neonatal liver disease requiring timely intervention.
- End-stage BA often necessitates liver transplantation, demanding thorough pre-operative assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings in patients with end-stage biliary atresia (BA).
- To evaluate MDCT's utility in pre-transplant surgical planning for BA.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of MDCT scans from 45 patients with end-stage BA prior to liver transplantation.
- Data collected between February 2005 and February 2008.
Main Results:
- MDCT identified hepatocellular nodules (n=15 in 7 patients) and intrahepatic biliary cysts (n=14), the latter associated with Kasai procedures.
- Intrahepatic porto-systemic shunts (31%), veno-venous communications (53%), and hepatic artery variants (21 patients) were observed.
- Portal vein abnormalities, including thrombosis (15%) and reduced diameter (26% ≤3 mm), were noted.
Conclusions:
- MDCT offers accurate morphological and vascular assessment for end-stage BA patients.
- MDCT is crucial for precise surgical planning in liver transplantation for BA.
- This study is among the first to report numerous veno-venous communications in BA.
Objectives:
To illustrate the multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings in patients with end-stage biliary atresia (BA).
Methods:
The study group consists of 45 consecutive patients with BA who underwent MDCT before liver transplantation from February 2005 to February 2008. Mean age was 36 months, 24 patients were female, and 22 had undergone a previous Kasai procedure.
Results:
MDCT detected a total of 15 hepatocellular nodules in 7 patients. Intrahepatic biliary cysts were detected in 14 patients and were significantly associated with a Kasai procedure. Intrahepatic porto-systemic shunts were found in 14 patients (31%), intrahepatic communicating vessels between hepatic veins were found in 24 patients (53%). Anatomical variants of hepatic artery were detected in 21 patients. Seven patients (15%) had portal vein thrombosis; in 12 cases (26%) portal vein diameter was 3 mm or less.
Conclusion:
MDCT can provide accurate morphological and vascular assessment of patients with end-stage biliary atresia and should be used for precise surgical planning. To the best of our knowledge this is one of the first studies to show the presence of numerous veno-venous communications in BA.
More Related Videos
09:49Dual-phase Cone-beam Computed Tomography to See, Reach, and Treat Hepatocellular Carcinoma during Drug-eluting Beads Transarterial Chemo-embolization
Published on: December 2, 2013
07:44Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage: Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Hepaticogastrostomy in Malignant Biliary Obstruction
Published on: March 25, 2022