title: Evaluation and screening ultrasonic signs in the diagnosis of fetal biliary cystic malformation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and screen for fetal biliary cystic malformation (BCM) associated-ultrasonic key signs or sign-combinations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty cases of fetal abdominal cysts were investigated, followed up and divided into BCM and non-BCM groups. Expression rates of seven fetal BCM-associated ultrasonic signs in the two groups (A: the cyst was located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, B: located beneath the porta hepatis, C: having no septum, D: not the gallbladder, E: connected to the gallbladder, F: connected to the hepatic ducts, G: its inferior portion ended in the epigastric region, anterior to the spinal column) were compared. The diagnostic efficacy of single signs and sign-combinations was evaluated by diagnostic test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expressions of Sign A and Sign D had no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Single sign of B, F and G had diagnostic efficacy. The diagnostic index of B reached 1.8571. The diagnostic index of the sign-combinations B and D, F or G, and E or F or G reached 2.0000.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When the fetal cyst was located beneath the porta hepatis and was not the gallbladder, BCM could be diagnosed. Sign G might be another significant ultrasonic sign in BCM prenatal diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ultrasound , Qilu Hospital of Shandong University , Jinan , P.R. China and.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cong
authors.affiliation: b Department of Statistics , Public Health School of Shandong University , Jinan , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiubin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ultrasound , Qilu Hospital of Shandong University , Jinan , P.R. China and.
authors.forename: Shaoping
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015529:Choledochal Cyst / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Biliary cystic malformation; choledochal cyst; cystic biliary atresia; diagnostic test; prenatal diagnosis