Combined diagnostic imaging in a patient with suspected biliary atresia.
The case of a newborn infant of 40 days of age with persistent jaundice and blood chemistry values suggestive of cholestasis is discussed. Liver and bile duct US documented missed visualization of the gallbladder. In the suspicion of biliary atresia, hepatobiliary scintigraphy was performed; it showed preserved hepatocyte function, missed visualization of the gallbladder and absence of intestinal bile flow which confirmed the diagnostic hypothesis. Based on possible diagnostic alternatives, signs perceived and interpreted, are analyzed.
Dambra
Donatella Pia
DP
Istituto di Medicina Nucleare, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Roma, Italy.
Peschechera
Raffaella
R
Lo Conte
Luisa
L
Pantanella
Adriano
A
Reale
Francesca
F
Baldari
Giorgio
G
Bruno
Isabella
I
Di Giuda
Daniela
D
Fundarò
Carlo
C
Maresca
Giulia
G
Valenza
Venanzio
V
D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography