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Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Extrahepatic Bile Duct and Gall Bladder Dissection in Nine-Day-Old Mouse Neonates
Published on: August 23, 2022
An infant with biliary ascites
Anjum Saeed1, Mohammed El Mouzan2, Asaad Assiri1
1Prince Abdullah Bin Khalid Celiac Disease Research Chair, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA.
Insights
Biliary ascites in children, a rare condition from bile duct perforation, presents insidiously with jaundice and abdominal distension. This case report details an infant
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Surgical Pediatrics
Background:
- Biliary ascites in children is rare, with unknown exact pathogenesis.
- Proposed mechanisms include congenital ductal weakness, pancreaticobiliary malunion, tuberculosis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and choledochal cyst rupture.
Observation:
- Presents acutely or sub-acutely, often insidiously in children.
- Common symptoms include jaundice, clay-colored stools, abdominal distension, elevated liver enzymes, and cholestasis.
Findings:
- Diagnosis aided by clinical suspicion, ultrasound, CT, MRCP, and ascitic fluid analysis.
- This report details a 7-month-old infant with biliary ascites due to bile duct perforation.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering bile duct perforation in pediatric biliary ascites.
- Management involves both conservative and surgical approaches.
- Contributes to understanding rare pediatric hepatobiliary emergencies.
Abstract:
Biliary ascites in children due to perforation of bile duct is a rare entity. The exact pathogenesis is not known but there are proposed mechanisms including congenital weakness of ductal wall, pancreaticobiliary malunion, tuberculosis, necrotizing enterocolitis and rupture of choledochal cyst. Presentation may be acute or sub-acute. Progressive insidious course is the common presentation in children with jaundice, clay colored stool, abdominal distension with slightly elevated liver enzymes but well documented cholestasis. Clinical suspicion with ultrasound, CT, MRCP and ascitic tap provides clue to the diagnosis. Both conservative and surgical interventions are in practice for managing these children. We report a 7 months old infant with biliary ascites due to perforation of bile duct.
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