GI: Biliary Atresia & IBD Flashcards
What is biliary atresia?
A rare, congenital condition that affects the biliary tree.
It is characterised by progressive inflammation and fibrosis of the extrahepatic ducts, leading to cholestasis, liver damage and failure.
It can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Define cholestasis
A decrease in bile flow from the liver to the bowel due to impaired secretion by hepatocytes or to obstruction of bile flow through intra-or extrahepatic bile ducts.
Who does biliary atresia present in?
Biliary atresia is unique to neonatal children –> the perinatal form presents in the first two weeks of life, the postnatal form presents within the first 2-8 weeks of life.
Does biliary atresia prevnet the excretion of conjugated or unconjugated bilirubin?
Conjugated bilirubin is excreted in the bile, therefore biliary atresia prevents the excretion of conjugated bilirubin.
What classification system is used for classifying biliary atresia?
The Ohi system.
What does the Ohi system classify biliary atresia according to?
The degree of anatomical damage
What are the 3 types of biliary atresia according to the Ohi system?
Type I (~10%): patent proximal ducts but atresia of the common bile duct
Type II (~2%): atresia of the common bile duct and hepatic duct
Type III (~88%): atresia of almost all extrahepatic ducts, including the porta hepatis
What is the most common type of biliary atresia?
Type III - atresia of almost all extrahepatic ducts, including the porta hepatis
Biliary atresia can occur on its own (‘isolated’) or with other congenital anomalies.
What is the most common congenital anomaly?
Biliary atresia splenic malformation syndrome –> associated with polysplenia, situs inversus, cardiac malformations, and vascular anomalies.
How do neonates with biliary atresia typically present?
- Jaundice (beyond 14 days).
- Typically associated with pale stools and dark urine due to biliary obstruction
Why can some neonates with biliary atresia present with bruising?
Due to vitamin K deficiency.
What is the most common finding on clinical examination in biliary atresia?
Jaundice
In the later stages of biliary aresia, usually seen in infants over three months old, what are some clinical findings?
- Hepatosplenomegaly
- Ascites
- Failure to thrive: due to malabsorption of fats
What are sime other causes of obstructive jaundice that can occur in the neonatal period?
1) Choledochal cyst
2) Cholelithiasis
3) Spontaneous perforation of the bile duct
4) Allagile syndrome: a rare disorder where a baby is born with fewer bile ducts than normal
What are some differentials for biliary atresia (not related to the gallbladder)?
- CF
- Lipid storage disorders
- Idiopathic neonatal hepatitis
- Congenital infections
- Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency
Biliary atresia should be suspected in neonates with jaundice lasting more than how long?
Term babies - >14 days
Premature babies >21 days
What is the 1st line investigation in biliary atresia?
Conjugated & unconjugated bilirubin.
Total bilirubin may be normal, whereas conjugated bilirubin is abnormally high.
Investigations in biliary atresia?
1) Serum bilirubin (conjugated and unconjugated)
2) Newborn blood spot screening: does not test for biliary atresia but includes test for CF (differential)
2) LFTs: will be abnormal with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia and raised gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)
4) US
What will LFTs shown in biliary atresia?
Will be abnormal with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia and raised gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT).
When should all children with neonatal jaundice have their bilirubin levels tested?
Within 6 hours
What is the 1st line imaging in biliary atresia?
US
What are the key US features of biliary atresia?
1) The triangular cord sign: an echogenic sign representing the fibrous remnant of the extrahepatic bile duct
2) Hepatic artery changes, which will be mainly larger
3) Gallbladder ghost triad: small/atretic gallbladder with a length less than 19 mm, irregular or lobular contour, lack of smooth echogenic mucosal lining with an indistinct wall
What is the preferred diagnostic investigation in biliary atresia?
Percutaneous liver biopsy –> would typically show bile duct proliferation with bile plugs.2
Gold standard investigation for biliary atresia?
Operative cholangiography –> BUT it is only used if there is diagnostic uncertainty before treatment.
What is the only definitive treatment for biliary atresia?
Surgical intervention.
Ideally, when should surgery be performed in biliary atresia?
<45 days of life –> provides the best success rate and helps avoid liver transplantation.
What is the surgical intervention of choice in biliary atresia?
Kasai portoenterostomy.
What does a Kasai portoenterostomy involve?
This procedure involves removing the damaged bile ducts and replacing them with a loop of intestine to allow bile to flow from the liver to the intestine.
The porta hepatis is anastomosed (in a Roux-en-Y fashion) to a part of the jejunum at the level of the hepatic hilum. The jejunum is then attached on the other end to the rest of the small intestine forming the Y-shaped connection.
If a Kasai portoenterostomy fails in biliary atresia, what is next step?
Liver transplant (sometimes a liver transplant may be required even after a successful Kasai procedure due to the progression of liver damage).
What are the indications for liver transplant in biliary atresia?
1) Failure of the Kasai procedure and reappearance of symptoms
2) Growth retardation that is non-responsive to intensive nutritional support
3) Development of portal hypertension and its complications (variceal bleeding, ascites)
4) Progressive liver dysfunction marked by pruritus and coagulopathy
What will all patients with biliary atresia require for the first year of life post-surgery?
Antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent the development of cholangitis.
What are the most common complications of biliary atresia?
Related to surgical intervention:
1) Ascending cholangitis: would present with a recurrence of the initial symptoms (e.g. jaundice and pale stools)
2) Obstruction of the Roux-en-Y loop: causing recurrent or delayed ascending cholangitis
3) Cirrhosis –> can eventually lead to HCC
4) Portal hypertension