Biliary Atresia (biliary + atresia)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Kinds of Biliary Atresia

  • extrahepatic biliary atresia


  • Selected Abstracts


    Biliary Atresia: A mostly preventable disease?

    JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
    Yumirle P Turmelle
    [source]


    Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Biliary Atresia: A Single-Center Experience with First 100 Cases

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 11 2006
    C.-L. Chen
    The aim of this study is to present our institutional experience in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) as a treatment for end-stage liver disease in children with biliary atresia (BA). A retrospective review of transplant records was performed. One hundred BA patients (52 males and 48 females) underwent LDLT. The mean follow-up period was 85.5 months. The mean age was 2.4 years. The mean preoperative weight, height, and computed GFR were 12.2 kg, 82.5 cm, and 116.4 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Twenty-seven patients were below 1 year of age, and 49 patients were below 10 kg at the time of transplantation. Ninety-six had had previous Kasai operation prior to transplant. The mean recipient operative time was 628 min. The mean recipient intraoperative blood loss was 176 ml. Thirty-five did not require blood or blood component transfusion. The left lateral segment (64) was the most common type of graft used. There were 27 operative complications which included 3 reoperations for postoperative bleeding, 9 portal vein, 4 hepatic vein, 4 hepatic artery, and 7 biliary complications. There was one in-hospital mortality and one retransplantation. The overall rejection rate was 20%. The overall mortality rate was 3%. The 6-month, 1-year and 5-year actual recipient survival rates were 99%, 98% and 98%, respectively. [source]


    Long-Term Outcome of Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Post-Kasai Biliary Atresia

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2006
    Y. Uchida
    Our objective was to analyze problems in the perioperative management and long-term outcome of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for biliary atresia (BA). Many reports have described the effectiveness of liver transplantation (LT) for BA, particularly in pediatric cases, but little information is available regarding LT in adults (,16 years old). Between June 1990 and December 2004, 464 patients with BA underwent LDLT at Kyoto University Hospital, of whom 47 (10.1%) were older than 16 years. In this study, we compared the outcomes between adult (,16 years old) and pediatric (<16 years old) patients. The incidence of post-transplant intestinal perforation, intra-abdominal bleeding necessitating repeat laparotomy and biliary leakage was significantly higher (p < 0.0001, <0.001 and <0.001, respectively) in adults. Overall cumulative 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rates in pediatric patients were significantly higher (p < 0.005) than in adults. Two independent prognostic determinants of survival were identified: a MELD score over 20 and post-transplant complications requiring repeat laparotomy. Outcome of LDLT in adult BA patients was poorer than in pediatric patients. It seems likely that LT will be the radical treatment of choice for BA and that LDLT should be considered proactively at the earliest possible stage. [source]


    Screening and outcomes in biliary atresia: Summary of a National Institutes of Health workshop,,

    HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
    Ronald J. Sokol
    Biliary atresia is the most common cause of end-stage liver disease in the infant and is the leading pediatric indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Earlier diagnosis (<30-45 days of life) is associated with improved outcomes following the Kasai portoenterostomy and longer survival with the native liver. However, establishing this diagnosis is problematic because of its rarity, the much more common indirect hyperbilirubinemia that occurs in the newborn period, and the schedule for routine infant health care visits in the United States. The pathogenesis of biliary atresia appears to involve immune-mediated fibro-obliteration of the extrahepatic and intrahepatic biliary tree in most patients and defective morphogenesis of the biliary system in the remainder. The determinants of the outcome of portoenterostomy include the age at surgery, the center's experience, the presence of associated congenital anomalies, and the postoperative occurrence of cholangitis. A number of screening strategies in infants have been studied. The most promising are early measurements of serum conjugated bilirubin and a stool color card given to new parents that alerts them and their primary care provider to acholic stools. This report summarizes a National Institutes of Health workshop held on September 12 and 13, 2006, in Bethesda, MD, that addressed the issues of outcomes, screening, and pathogenesis of biliary atresia. (HEPATOLOGY 2007;46:566,581.) [source]


    Cellular and humoral autoimmunity directed at bile duct epithelia in murine biliary atresia,,

    HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
    Cara L. Mack
    Biliary atresia is an inflammatory fibrosclerosing lesion of the bile ducts that leads to biliary cirrhosis and is the most frequent indication for liver transplantation in children. The pathogenesis of biliary atresia is not known; one theory is that of a virus-induced, subsequent autoimmune-mediated injury of bile ducts. The aim of this study was to determine whether autoreactive T cells and autoantibodies specific to bile duct epithelia are present in the rotavirus (RRV)- induced murine model of biliary atresia and whether the T cells are sufficient to result in bile duct inflammation. In vitro analyses showed significant increases in IFN-,,producing T cells from RRV-diseased mice in response to bile duct epithelial autoantigen. Adoptive transfer of the T cells from RRV-diseased mice into naïve syngeneic SCID recipients resulted in bile duct,specific inflammation. This induction of bile duct pathology occurred in the absence of detectable virus, indicating a definite response to bile duct autoantigens. Furthermore, periductal immunoglobulin deposits and serum antibodies reactive to bile duct epithelial protein were detected in RRV-diseased mice. In conclusion, both cellular and humoral components of autoimmunity exist in murine biliary atresia, and the progressive bile duct injury is due in part to a bile duct epithelia,specific T cell,mediated immune response. The role of cellular and humoral autoimmunity in human biliary atresia and possible interventional strategies therefore should be the focus of future research. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:1231,1239.) [source]


    Cholangiocytes as immune modulators in rotavirus-induced murine biliary atresia

    LIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 8 2009
    Barrett H. Barnes
    Abstract Background/Aims: Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive disease characterized by bile duct inflammation and fibrosis. The aetiology is unknown and may be due to a virus-induced, autoimmune-mediated injury of cholangiocytes. Cholangiocytes are not only targets of injury but may also modulate hepatic inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine the immune profile of murine cholangiocytes and the ability to function as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in culture with Rhesus rotavirus (RRV), poly I:C (viral mimic) or interferon-,/tumour necrosis factor-,. Methods/Results: Both the cholangiocyte cell line (long-term culture) and fresh, ex vivo cholangiocytes expressed APC surface markers major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-class I and II and CD40, while only the cultured cell line expressed costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2. Despite APC expression, cultured cholangiocytes were unable to function as competent APCs in T-cell proliferation assays. Furthermore, both cultured and ex vivo cholangiocytes expressed RNA transcripts for many pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Conclusions: Although cholangiocytes contain APC molecules, they are incompetent at antigen presentation and cannot elicit effective T-cell activation. Upregulation of MHC-class I and II found in BA mice may serve to prime the cholangiocyte as a target for immune-mediated injury. Cholangiocytes produced many pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the setting of RRV infection and T-helper type 1 cytokine milieu, suggesting a role of cholangiocytes as immune modulators promoting the ongoing inflammation that exists in RRV-induced BA. [source]


    Portal vein phlebolithiasis found post-liver transplantation in the native liver of a child with biliary atresia

    PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2001
    B. Bilezikçi
    Abstract: Biliary atresia is defined as partial or total obliteration of the extra-hepatic bile ducts. In advanced cases, liver transplantation (LTx) is considered the most appropriate treatment. This report describes a female patient whose biliary atresia and subsequent cirrhosis required LTx at 1 yr of age. Macroscopic inspection of the hilar region of the native liver post-Tx revealed the formation of a pouch in the hepatic duct and a stone in the lumen of the portal vein. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the stone was composed of cholesteryl cinnamate, gluconic acid phenylhydrazide, Na , broma-allyl mercaptomethyl penicillinate, and Al2O3 crystals. While the cholesterol component is a known element of gallstones, we attributed the Na , broma-allyl mercaptomethyl penicillinate to the patient's drug therapy. Our literature search revealed no previous record or crystallographic analysis of portal vein phlebolithiasis. In this report we describe this rare finding. [source]


    Clinical aspects on neonatal cholestasis based on observations at a Swedish tertiary referral centre

    ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2001
    B Fischler
    The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical aspects of neonatal cholestasis. The medical records of 85 cholestatic infants were retrospectively reviewed. A majority of the patients were referred from other parts of the country. The most common diagnoses were extrahepatic biliary atresia (n= 30 patients), ,1 -antitrypsin deficiency (n=11) and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (n= 11). On presentation, the biliary atresia group had higher mean serum values of bilirubin, G-GT and cholesterol than the patients with intrahepatic cholestasis, with no significant differences noticed for any other biochemical parameter. A lack of excretion on hepatobiliary scintigraphy was noticed in all investigated patients with biliary atresia, but also in 9 of 34 patients with intrahepatic neonatal cholestasis. There was no statistical correlation between the age at portoenterostomy and the outcome in patients with biliary atresia. However, both the detection of a partial flow on perioperative cholangiogram and the establishment of a non-icteric phase within 6 mo after the portoenterostomy correlated to a good outcome. Eight of 11 patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis were treated with a biliary diversion procedure, five of eight experienced a sustained cholestatic remission. Conclusions: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis may be a more common cause of neonatal cholestasis in Sweden than reported elsewhere and that the experience with biliary diversion is positive. While early referral in patients with extrahepatic biliary atresia remains important, a portoenterostomy should be attempted also in patients referred after 3 mo of age. [source]


    The amazing universe of hepatic microstructure,

    HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
    Valeer J. Desmet
    An informal review is presented by the author of his 50 years of involvement in practice and research in hepatopathology. Some background for the author's attitude and meandering pathway into his professional career serves as introduction to a short discussion of the main topics of his interest and expertise. Histogenesis of liver cancer was the theme of early work for a Ph.D. thesis, the results of which were lost into oblivion due to local rules and circumstances, but were rescued three decades later. His conclusions about the cells of origin of liver cancer remain concordant with the newer concepts in the field after nearly half a century. Studies in the field of chronic hepatitis became a long saga, involving the first classification of this syndrome by "the Gnomes" in 1968, histochemical investigations of viral antigens, lymphocyte subsets and adhesion molecules, and a quarter century later, the creation of a new classification presently in use. Cholestasis was a broadening field in diagnostic entities and involved the study of liver lesions, comprising pathways of bile regurgitation (including reversed secretory polarity of hepatocytes) and so-called ductular reaction. The latter topic has a high importance for the various roles it plays in modulating liver tissue of chronic cholestasis into biliary cirrhosis, and as the territory of hepatic progenitor cells, crucial for liver regeneration in adverse conditions and in development of liver cancer. Study of the embryology of intrahepatic bile ducts helped to clarify the strange appearance of the ducts in "ductal plate configuration" in several conditions, including some forms of biliary atresia with poor prognosis and all varieties of fibrocystic bile duct diseases with "ductal plate malformation" as the basic morphologic lesion. (HEPATOLOGY 2009;50:333,344.) [source]


    Corticosteroid treatment in biliary atresia: Tonic or toast?,,

    HEPATOLOGY, Issue 6 2007
    Ronald J. Sokol M.D.
    First page of article [source]


    Screening and outcomes in biliary atresia: Summary of a National Institutes of Health workshop,,

    HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
    Ronald J. Sokol
    Biliary atresia is the most common cause of end-stage liver disease in the infant and is the leading pediatric indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Earlier diagnosis (<30-45 days of life) is associated with improved outcomes following the Kasai portoenterostomy and longer survival with the native liver. However, establishing this diagnosis is problematic because of its rarity, the much more common indirect hyperbilirubinemia that occurs in the newborn period, and the schedule for routine infant health care visits in the United States. The pathogenesis of biliary atresia appears to involve immune-mediated fibro-obliteration of the extrahepatic and intrahepatic biliary tree in most patients and defective morphogenesis of the biliary system in the remainder. The determinants of the outcome of portoenterostomy include the age at surgery, the center's experience, the presence of associated congenital anomalies, and the postoperative occurrence of cholangitis. A number of screening strategies in infants have been studied. The most promising are early measurements of serum conjugated bilirubin and a stool color card given to new parents that alerts them and their primary care provider to acholic stools. This report summarizes a National Institutes of Health workshop held on September 12 and 13, 2006, in Bethesda, MD, that addressed the issues of outcomes, screening, and pathogenesis of biliary atresia. (HEPATOLOGY 2007;46:566,581.) [source]


    Cellular and humoral autoimmunity directed at bile duct epithelia in murine biliary atresia,,

    HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
    Cara L. Mack
    Biliary atresia is an inflammatory fibrosclerosing lesion of the bile ducts that leads to biliary cirrhosis and is the most frequent indication for liver transplantation in children. The pathogenesis of biliary atresia is not known; one theory is that of a virus-induced, subsequent autoimmune-mediated injury of bile ducts. The aim of this study was to determine whether autoreactive T cells and autoantibodies specific to bile duct epithelia are present in the rotavirus (RRV)- induced murine model of biliary atresia and whether the T cells are sufficient to result in bile duct inflammation. In vitro analyses showed significant increases in IFN-,,producing T cells from RRV-diseased mice in response to bile duct epithelial autoantigen. Adoptive transfer of the T cells from RRV-diseased mice into naïve syngeneic SCID recipients resulted in bile duct,specific inflammation. This induction of bile duct pathology occurred in the absence of detectable virus, indicating a definite response to bile duct autoantigens. Furthermore, periductal immunoglobulin deposits and serum antibodies reactive to bile duct epithelial protein were detected in RRV-diseased mice. In conclusion, both cellular and humoral components of autoimmunity exist in murine biliary atresia, and the progressive bile duct injury is due in part to a bile duct epithelia,specific T cell,mediated immune response. The role of cellular and humoral autoimmunity in human biliary atresia and possible interventional strategies therefore should be the focus of future research. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:1231,1239.) [source]


    The surgical management of biliary atresia: Does variceal hemorrhage contribute to decision making?

    HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2002
    Peter F. Whitington M.D.
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Susceptibility to experimental biliary atresia linked to different hepatic gene expression profiles in two mouse strains

    HEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2010
    Johannes Leonhardt
    Aim:, To compare hepatic gene expression during the development of experimental biliary atresia (BA) in two different mouse strains. Methods:, Balb/c mice and C57Black/6 (Black/6) mice were infected with rhesus rotavirus (RRV) postpartum, clinical signs of BA and survival were noted. Liver sections were assessed for cluster of differentiation antigen (CD) 3, CD4 and CD8 expression, and the hepatic virus load was determined. Second, mice of both strains were sacrificed three days after infection. Isolated hepatic RNA was subjected to gene expression analysis using Affymetrix Gene Chip MOE 430 2.0. Results:, The incidence of BA was significantly lower in Black/6 mice compared to Balb/c mice (13.5% vs. 67%, P < 0.05). The mean virus titers were higher in mice with BA compared to mice without BA. Different gene profiles three days after virus infection were noted, with differential expression of 201 genes, including those regulating apoptosis, nucleic acid binding, transport function and particularly the immune response (chemokine C-C motif ligand 2, toll-like receptor 3, CD antigen 14, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligands 10 and 11). This correlated with a significant increase of CD4 positive cells only in Balb/c mice with BA compared to healthy mice (13.5 vs. 5.0; P < 0.05). Black/6 mice did not exhibit any significant increase of CD3 or CD4 leukocytes despite cholestasis. Conclusion:, The different susceptibility to experimental BA was associated with an increase of CD4 T-cells in the liver of Balb/c mice, which is linked to different gene profiles at the onset of bile duct obstruction. [source]


    A novel epidermal nevus syndrome with congenital cylindromatous turban tumor

    JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 9 2003
    Jacinto J. Regalado
    Background:, Epidermal nevi (in the broad sense of epithelial nevi) may give rise to benign or malignant skin tumors. They may also be associated with anomalies of other organ systems in an epidermal nevus syndrome. Results:, This article describes a preterm infant with nevus sebaceus of the scalp and face, a large turban tumor with features of malignant cylindroma and multiple non-cutaneous defects. These included skeletal, hematopoietic, hepatobiliary, and urinary anomalies. Severe secondary lesions were present (pulmonary hypoplasia due to oligohydramnios; cerebral infarcts probably related to the turban tumor). Karyotype was normal, and family history was negative. Conclusions:, This unique case is unlike any reported epidermal nevus syndrome. Similarly, there is no prior report of a congenital cylindroma, certainly not as a turban tumor, which implies very rapid growth. The presence of both overgrowth and undergrowth phenomena (e.g. hypoplastic urinary tract and biliary atresia) may reflect dysregulation of paracrine growth factors, presumably due to genetic mutation. [source]


    Histopathological features and accuracy for diagnosing biliary atresia by prelaparotomy liver biopsy in developing countries

    JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
    Archana Rastogi
    Abstract Background and Aim:, A major challenge in neonatal cholestasis (NC) is to differentiate biliary atresia (BA) from other non-atretic causes. In developing countries there are considerable problems of late referral of NC cases and performing surgery without prelaparotomy liver biopsy that contributes to a high proportion of negative laparotomy and increased morbidity. We evaluated the hepatic histopathology for presence of features that correlate best with the diagnosis of BA and assessed the accuracy of percutaneous liver biopsy. Methods:, Fifty-five cases of NC that fulfilled the selection criteria and had liver biopsy available were analyzed. Among the 49 adequate liver biopsies, 28 cases were diagnosed as BA, 15 neonatal hepatitis (NH) and 6 were due to other causes. Validity of percutaneous liver biopsy diagnoses was compared with confirmed cases by laparotomy findings and 1-year follow up. Twelve histological parameters of confirmed cases of BA and NH were evaluated by logistic regression analyses. Results:, Ductular proliferation (P = 0.0002), bile duct and ductular bile plugs (P = 0.009), and portal fibrosis (P = 0.002) were the best indicators of BA and among them ductular proliferation was the most important in distinguishing BA from NH. Ductal plate malformation was observed in 17.9% cases of BA. Sensitivity and specificity of percutaneous liver biopsy for diagnosing BA was 88.2% each. Conclusion:, Percutaneous liver biopsy is highly accurate (88.2%) in diagnosing BA. In developing countries. This investigation should be done to decrease the frequency of negative laparotomy and to achieve cost,benefit with reduced morbidity. [source]


    Pre-admission consultation and late referral in infants with neonatal cholestasis

    JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 1-2 2008
    Way Seah Lee
    Aims: To study factors leading to delayed referral in neonatal cholestasis at a tertiary centre in Malaysia. Methods: A prospective, observational study on consecutive infants with neonatal cholestasis referred to a tertiary unit paediatric liver unit in Malaysia. Results: Thirty-one of the 65 (43%) patients studied encountered delay or had an inappropriate action taken before referral. Factors leading to delayed referral, which adversely affected the outcome of biliary atresia (BA) and neonatal acute liver failure, were repeated reassurances by medical and paramedical staff (n = 17, 26%), failure of hospital services at the referring hospital (n = 7, 11%) and parental refusal for referral (n = 5, 8%). Only three (14%) of the 22 patients who developed liver failure had liver transplantation (LT). The 1-year survival rate with native liver for BA was 35%, while overall 1-year survival rate (native liver and LT) was 41%. Conclusions: Repeated false reassurance, failure of hospital services and parental refusal all contributed to delayed referral in neonatal cholestasis. In addition to education of medical and public health workers, and parents on the importance of early referral in neonatal cholestasis, health authorities in Malaysia should consider the feasibility of universal stool colour screening in newborn infants to improve the outcome of BA. [source]


    Cholangiocytes as immune modulators in rotavirus-induced murine biliary atresia

    LIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 8 2009
    Barrett H. Barnes
    Abstract Background/Aims: Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive disease characterized by bile duct inflammation and fibrosis. The aetiology is unknown and may be due to a virus-induced, autoimmune-mediated injury of cholangiocytes. Cholangiocytes are not only targets of injury but may also modulate hepatic inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine the immune profile of murine cholangiocytes and the ability to function as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in culture with Rhesus rotavirus (RRV), poly I:C (viral mimic) or interferon-,/tumour necrosis factor-,. Methods/Results: Both the cholangiocyte cell line (long-term culture) and fresh, ex vivo cholangiocytes expressed APC surface markers major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-class I and II and CD40, while only the cultured cell line expressed costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2. Despite APC expression, cultured cholangiocytes were unable to function as competent APCs in T-cell proliferation assays. Furthermore, both cultured and ex vivo cholangiocytes expressed RNA transcripts for many pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Conclusions: Although cholangiocytes contain APC molecules, they are incompetent at antigen presentation and cannot elicit effective T-cell activation. Upregulation of MHC-class I and II found in BA mice may serve to prime the cholangiocyte as a target for immune-mediated injury. Cholangiocytes produced many pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the setting of RRV infection and T-helper type 1 cytokine milieu, suggesting a role of cholangiocytes as immune modulators promoting the ongoing inflammation that exists in RRV-induced BA. [source]


    Surgery for biliary atresia

    LIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2001
    Ryoji Ohi
    Abstract: Although the prognosis of biliary atresia has been improved in recent years, particularly in the era of liver transplantation, hepatic portoenterostomy, e.g., the Kasai operation, is still the first line of surgical treatment. Successful hepatic portoenterostomy depends on early diagnosis and operation, adequate operative technique, prevention of postoperative cholangitis, and precise postoperative management. The pathophysiology of the liver and of the intrahepatic bile ducts in this disease is still controversial. [source]


    Fortune telling in biliary atresia: What is in the tea leaves?,

    LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 8 2009
    Peter F. Whitington
    [source]


    Paralysis in the left phrenic nerve after living-donor liver transplantation for biliary atresia with situs inversus

    LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 11 2008
    Yukihiro Sanada
    A 7-month-old boy with biliary atresia accompanied by situs inversus and absent inferior vena cava (IVC) underwent living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Because a constriction in the recipient hepatic vein (HV) was detected during the preparation of the HV in LDLT, a dissection in the cranial direction and a total clamp of the suprahepatic IVC was performed, and the suprahepatic IVC and the graft HV were anastomosed end-to-end. Postoperatively, atelectasis in the left upper lobe and ventilator failure accompanied by an elevation of the left hemidiaphragm were observed and mechanical ventilation was repetitively required. Paralysis in the left phrenic nerve was diagnosed by chest radiograph and ultrasonography. In our patient, conservative treatment was administrated, because weaning him from mechanical ventilation was possible a few days after intubation and the ventilator function was expected to be improved with growth. The disease course was good, and he was discharged from the hospital at 78 days after LDLT. Complications of paralysis in the phrenic nerve after cadaveric liver transplantation have been reported to be high. Although using a conventional technique during the reconstruction of the HV may injure the phrenic nerve directly, use of the piggyback technique with preservation of the IVC is rare. Even if LDLT was undertaken, a dissection of the HV or a total clamp of the suprahepatic IVC as a conventional technique can directly injure the phrenic nerve. Therefore, a dissection of the HV or a total clamp of the suprahepatic IVC at the reconstruction of the HV in LDLT should be carefully performed, and the possibility of paralysis in the phrenic nerve should be considered in patients with a relapse of respiratory symptoms and an elevation of the hemidiaphragm after LDLT. Liver Transpl 14:1659,1663, 2008. © 2008 AASLD. [source]


    Predictors of clinical outcome in children undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation for acute and chronic liver disease

    LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 9 2006
    Chris Rhee
    The current United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) policy is to allocate liver grafts to pediatric patients with chronic liver disease based on the pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD) scoring system, while children with fulminant hepatic failure may be urgently listed as Status 1a. The objective of this study was to identify pre-transplant variables that influence patient and graft survival in those children undergoing LTx (liver transplantion) for FHF (fulminant hepatic failure) compared to those patients transplanted for extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA), a chronic form of liver disease. The UNOS Liver Transplant Registry was examined for pediatric liver transplants performed for FHF and EHBA from 1987 to 2002. Variables that influenced patient and graft survival were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis of FHF and EHBA groups revealed that 5 year patient and graft survival were both significantly worse (P < 0.0001) in those patients who underwent transplantation for FHF. Multivariate analysis of 29 variables subsequently revealed distinct sets of factors that influenced patient and graft survival for both FHF and EHBA. These results confirm that separate prioritizing systems for LTx are needed for children with chronic liver disease and FHF; additionally, our findings illustrate that there are unique sets of variables which predict survival following LTx for these two groups. Liver Transpl 12:1347-1356, 2006. © 2006 AASLD. [source]


    Development of pulmonary hypertension in 5 patients after pediatric living-donor liver transplantation: De novo or secondary?

    LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2006
    Yasumasa Shirouzu
    The development of portopulmonary hypertension (PH) in a patient with end-stage liver disease is related to high cardiac output and hyperdynamic circulation. However, PH following liver transplantation is not fully understood. Of 617 pediatric patients receiving transplants between June 1990 and March 2004, 5 (median age 12 yr, median weight 24.5 kg) were revealed to have portopulmonary hypertension (PH) after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT), as confirmed by echocardiography and/or right heart catheterization. All children underwent LDLT for post-Kasai biliary atresia. In 2 patients with refractory biliary complications, PH developed following portal thrombosis; 2 with stable graft function, who had had intrapulmonary shunting (IPS) before LDLT, were found to have PH in spite of overcoming liver dysfunction due to hepatitis. PH developed shortly after distal splenorenal shunting in 1 patient, who suffered liver cirrhosis due to an intractable outflow blockage. The onset of PH ranged from 2.8 to 11 yr after LDLT, and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) estimated by echocardiography at the time of presentation ranged from 43 to 120 mmHg. Three of the 5 patients are alive under prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) treatment. Of these, 1 is prepared for retransplantation for an intractable complications of liver allograft, while the other 2 with satisfactory grafts are being considered for lung transplantation. Even after LDLT, PH can develop with portal hypertension. Periodic echocardiography is essential for early detection and treatment of PH especially in the recipients with portal hypertension not only preoperatively but also postoperatively. Liver Transpl 12:870,875, 2006. © 2006 AASLD. [source]


    Management of a cadaveric orthotopic liver transplantation in a pediatric patient with complex congenital heart disease

    PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 6 2006
    DENNIS E. FEIERMAN MD PhD
    Summary Pediatric orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT) are commonly performed nowadays. Two primary reasons for OLT in children are complications from either extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) or inborn errors of metabolism. However, congenital liver disease may be associated with significant other congenital abnormalities. We present a case of a successful OLT in a pediatric patient with a history of EHBA, situs inversus, and complex congenital heart disease. The cardiac anomalies include dextrocardia, absence of the atrial septum (single atrium), single atrioventricular valve (a-v canal), and an incomplete ventricular septum. Prior surgery include a Kasai procedure for EHBA, banding of the proximal main pulmonary artery, and Broviac catheter placement. We present the anesthesia concerns and management for this complicated case. [source]


    Anaesthesia, perioperative management and outcome of correction of extrahepatic biliary atresia in the infant: a review of 50 cases in the King's College Hospital series

    PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 6 2000
    D. W. GREEN MB
    Extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) is an uncommon condition presenting in the first few weeks of life. It has an incidence of 0.5,1 per 10 000 live births and is the end result of a destructive inflammatory process involving the extrahepatic biliary system of unknown aetiology occurring in utero. The net result is neonatal jaundice due to bile stasis, with subsequent hepatocellular damage and cirrhosis. In the untreated, patient death is inevitable within 2 years. Precise diagnosis (or exclusion) of EHBA in the persistently jaundiced infant must be made urgently and major surgery (hepatic portoenterostomy: Kasai procedure) carried out as soon as possible, preferably before 6,8 weeks of age. This review is concerned with anaesthesia for correction of EHBA in 50 consecutive patients and also outlines the experience gained in the largest European centre for correction of EHBA where the number of cases now approaches 500. [source]


    Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome in a case with ABO-incompatible liver transplantation for biliary atresia complicated by portal vein thrombosis

    PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2010
    Yohei Yamada
    Yamada Y, Hoshino K, Shimojima N, Shinoda M, Obara H, Kawachi S, Fuchimoto Y, Tanabe M, Kitagawa Y, Morikawa Y. Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome in a case with ABO-incompatible liver transplantation for biliary atresia complicated by portal vein thrombosis. Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:e49,e53. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract:, Idiopathic HES is characterlized by prolonged eosinophilia without an identifiable underlying cause and multiple-organ dysfunction. We report a case of a LDLT for a 12-yr-old Japanese girl with BA accompanied by HES. Histological examination of the resected liver showed biliary cirrhosis with dense eosinophilic infiltration of portal tracts and the lobules of the liver. She developed portal vein thrombosis on post-operative day 10 and the histopathological findings of the thrombus revealed dense eosinophilic deposition, suggesting that HES might have influenced the formation of this thrombus. Liver graft biopsies also demonstrated the presence of activated eosinophilils with biliary damage. Blood chemistry findings suggested liver dysfunction as a result of the eosinophilic infiltrations. Prednisolone treatment improved the liver dysfunction. Four years after LDLT, she remains clinically well on prednisolone at 0.3 mg/kg/day, with an eosinophil count ranging from 10 to 15%. A literature review has not shown any previous reports of HES with BA. This case demonstrates the possibility of an association between eosinophilic infiltration and liver dysfunction during follow-up for BA and after LDLT. [source]


    Long-term outcome following pediatric liver transplantation for metabolic disorders

    PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2010
    Terrell Stevenson
    Stevenson T, Millan MT, Wayman K, Berquist WE, Sarwal M, Johnston EE, Esquivel CO, Enns GM. Long-term outcome following pediatric liver transplantation for metabolic disorders. Pediatr Transplant 2010:14:268,275. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, A/S. Abstract:, In order to determine long-term outcome, including survival, growth and development, following liver transplantation in children with metabolic disorders, we retrospectively reviewed charts of 54 children with metabolic disorders evaluated from 1989,2005 for presenting symptoms, transplantation timing and indications, survival, metabolic parameters, growth, and development. Thirty-three patients underwent liver transplantation (12 received combined liver,kidney transplants) at a median age of 21 months. At a median follow-up of 3.6 yr, patient survival was 100%, and liver and kidney allograft survival was 92%, and 100%, respectively. For the group as a whole, weight Z scores improved and body mass index at follow-up was in the normal range. Two yr post-transplantation, psychomotor development improved significantly (p < 0.01), but mental skills did not; however, both indices were in the low-normal range of development. When compared to patients with biliary atresia, children with metabolic disorders showed significantly lower mental developmental scores at one and two yr post-transplantation (p < 0.05), but psychomotor developmental scores were not significantly different. We conclude that, in patients with metabolic disorders meeting indications for transplantation, liver transplantation or combined liver,kidney transplantation (for those with accompanying renal failure) is associated with excellent long-term survival, improved growth, and improved psychomotor development. [source]


    Long-term outcome and management of hepatopulmonary syndrome in children

    PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2010
    Abdulrahman Al-Hussaini
    Al-Hussaini A, Taylor RM, Samyn M, Bansal S, Heaton N, Rela M, Mieli-Vergani G, Dhawan A. Long-term outcome and management of hepatopulmonary syndrome in children. Pediatr Transplantation 2010:14:276,282. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract:, We aim to report a single center experience of the management and long term outcome of HPS in pediatric liver transplant recipients. A retrospective review of children with HPS from 1990 to 2004. Inclusion criteria: liver disease or portal hypertension, hypoxemia (PaO2 < 70 mmHg or SaO2 < 95%) and intrapulmonary shunting documented by macroaggregated albumin scan ratio of >4% (classified mild group [<20%], moderate group [20,40%] and severe group [>40%]). Resolution of HPS post-liver transplant was defined as PaO2 > 70 mmHg or SaO2 > 95%. Eighteen children (six male [34%], median age at diagnosis of HPS 8.6 [1,15.5] yr) had HPS: biliary atresia (n = 8), idiopathic biliary cirrhosis (n = 4), progressive intrahepatic cholestasis (n = 2), miscellaneous (n = 4). The majority had mild shunting (n = 8). Fourteen underwent transplantation with resolution of HPS in 13. Six developed complications: hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 4), biliary (n = 2). Four children died (28%), two pretransplant. There was a tendency towards shunt fraction worsening to a slower degree over time. One-yr survival rate post-transplant was 93%. Median PaO2 was significantly lower in non-survivors compared to survivors (43 vs. 55.2 mmHg, p = 0.03). There was correlation between oxygen parameters pretransplant and time to HPS resolution post-transplant. HPS is reversible after transplant, but is associated with increasing mortality and morbidity. [source]


    Growth curves of pediatric patients with biliary atresia following living donor liver transplantation: Factors that influence post-transplantation growth

    PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2007
    Takeshi Saito
    Abstract:, We evaluated the growth curves of children with BA after LDLT, and identified factors influencing growth velocity one-yr after LDLT (,Z). The clinical data of 51 children with BA, who had an LDLT at our center from 2001 to 2005, were retrospectively reviewed. The Z scores for height and weight, and ,Z were studied. The correlation between ,Z and various clinical factors was evaluated statistically. Multivariate stepwise analyses were performed for ,Z. The average height and weight Z scores at the time of LDLT were ,1.34 ± 1.36 (±s.d.) and ,0.78 ± 1.15, respectively. Among 30 BA recipients with stable liver function after transplant, weight returned to normal one-yr post-transplantation. However, height did not return to normal even by the third post-transplantation year. On multivariate analyses, 73% of the variance in height ,Z could be accounted for by factors such as standardized height at the time of LDLT (proportion of variance: 38%), number of steroid pulse treatments (17%), donor age (10%), and the presence of HVS (9%). Fifty-four percentage of the variance in weight ,Z could be accounted for by factors such as standardized weight at the time of LDLT (37%) and the total steroid dose given (17%). Height and weight status at the time of LDLT likely have the strongest impact on ,Z. Additional factors include steroid exposure, age of the living donor, and presence of HVS, all of which should be considered to improve post-transplantation growth. [source]


    Pseudotumoral azygos and paraesophageal varices of posterior mediastinum in a 15-month-old infant: A case report

    PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2007
    Fuchun Yang
    Abstract:, A case of azygos and paraesophageal varices presenting as a posterior mediastinal mass in a 15-month-old infant with biliary atresia is described. The patient was evaluated for living donor liver transplantation because of repeated cholangitis after Kasai operation, and plain CT scan demonstrated a mass in posterior mediastinum. The operation of mediastinal tumor resection was planned before liver transplantation in order to exclude malignant disease, however, possibility of paraesophageal varices remained. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging clearly demonstrated azygos and paraesophageal varices in posterior mediastinum. Living donor liver transplantation was performed successfully without ligation of paraesophagogastric varices. Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated distinctly decreased mediastinal mass one month after transplantation. [source]