title: Sonographic diagnosis of a common pancreaticobiliary channel in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A common pancreaticobiliary channel is a very rare condition, but its diagnosis is of paramount importance since it can lead to complications that can be prevented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To illustrate the sonographic diagnosis of a common pancreaticobiliary channel in children referred for abdominal pain or jaundice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four children were diagnosed by ultrasonography and the diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by MRI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sonography demonstrated a pancreaticobiliary junction located in the pancreatic head above the sphincter of Oddi. This rare congenital anomaly was confirmed in all patients by MRI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A common pancreaticobiliary channel can be diagnosed by sonography. Nevertheless, our experience is limited, and although sonography can provide an alert and can assist management, it cannot yet replace MRI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Radiology, La Timone Children's Hospital, Marseille Cedex 05, France.
authors.forename: Séverine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chapuy
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gorincour
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roquelaure
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aschero
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paris
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lambot
authors.forename: Arnauld
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delarue
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bourlière-Najean
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petit
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003137:Common Bile Duct Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007565:Jaundice / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D035583:Rare Diseases; D014463:Ultrasonography