title: Technical innovation for noninvasive and early diagnosis of biliary atresia: the ultrasonographic "triangular cord" sign.
abstract: In this article, we introduce our experience regarding a new and noninvasive diagnostic tool, using ultrasonography, for the early and definite diagnosis of biliary atresia. We have focussed on the ultrasonographic image of the cone-shaped periportal fibrous mass in infants with biliary atresia since 1992, and have finally identified a triangular or band-like periportal echogenicity ("triangular cord" sign), mainly cranial to the portal vein. Based on our experience and other reports from Japan and Singapore, the ultrasonographic triangular cord sign is a simple, time-saving, highly reliable, and definite tool in the diagnosis of biliary atresia from infantile intrahepatic cholestasis, representing a positive predictive value greater than 95%. We have proposed a new diagnostic strategy in the evaluation of infantile cholestasis, with emphasis on the ultrasonographic triangular cord sign.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, 194 Dongsan Dong, Taegu 700-712, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*