J Korean Pediatr Soc.  2001 Aug;44(8):899-907.

The Usefulness of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography in the Diagnosis of Biliary Atresia

• Han SJ
• Chung KS
• Kim MJ
• Han A
• Hwang EH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance cholangiography(MRC) for the diagnosis of biliary atresia in infantile cholestatic jaundice.
METHODS
Fifty consecutive infants with cholestatic jaundice underwent single-shot MRC for 3 years. The radiologic diagnosis of non-biliary atresia with MRC was based on visualization of the common bile duct and common hepatic duct. The diagnosis of biliary atresia was based on non-visualization of either the common bile duct or common hepatic duct. The final diagnosis of biliary atresia or non-biliary atresia was made with operations or clinical follow-up until jaundice resolved.
RESULTS
MRC could clearly visualized the gallbladder, cystic duct, common hepatic duct, common bile duct, both intrahepatic ducts and second order intrahepatic ducts in small neonates and infants. MRC had accuracy of 98%, sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 96% for diagnosis of biliary atresia as the cause of infantile cholestatic jaundice.
CONCLUSIONS
MRC is a very reliable noninvasive imaging study for diagnosis of biliary atresia in infants with cholestatic jaundice.

Keyword

Biliary atresia; Infantile cholestatic jaundice; Magnetic resonance imaging; Cholangiography

MeSH Terms

Biliary Atresia*
Cholangiography*
Common Bile Duct
Cystic Duct
Diagnosis*
Follow-Up Studies
Gallbladder
Hepatic Duct, Common
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Jaundice
Jaundice, Obstructive
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Sensitivity and Specificity