Association of oesophageal atresia and cholecystohepatic duct

A rare hepatobiliary malformation in which the common hepatic duct drains directly into the gallbladder or the cystic duct (cholecystohepatic duct) is described in two children born with oesophageal atresia. Attention is drawn to the rarity of this combination. A brief review of the literature of cholecystohepatic and accessory hepatic ducts is also presented.     

肝移植治疗胆道闭锁:附16例报告

目的 探讨肝移植治疗胆道闭锁的疗效.方法 对16例胆道闭锁的患儿实施肝移植手术,其中7例为劈离式肝移植,9例为活体部分肝移植.术后所有患儿均给予抗排斥、抗感染、抗凝及营养支持等治疗,密切监测移植肝血流及肝功能变化,观察术后并发症及预后.结果 16例胆道闭锁患儿全部手术存活,术后早期主要并发症为感染,以细菌感染为主,感染部位主要为腹腔及肺部.死亡2例,1例术后9 d死于感染性休克,1例术后1年死于严重EB病毒感染、溶血性黄疸;其余14例患儿随访1 ～ 4.5年(至2010年12月),检测肝功能良好.结论 肝移植是治疗胆道闭锁安全有效的方法.     

Evaluation of catch-up growth after liver transplantation in children with biliary atresia

Orthotopic liver transplantation (Tx) has improved survival in infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia (BA) when portoenteroanastomosis fails. Symptoms leading to Tx include liver failure, poor quality of life and growth failure. The objective of the study was to determine catch-up growth in children with BA. Medical records and growth data of 36 patients (24 girls) who received a Tx due to BA were analyzed. Thirty-two patients completed 3 yr and 15 patients 7 yr of follow-up after Tx. At Tx, the median age was 2.7 yr (range 0.7-12.6) and mean height Z score (+/-s.d.) was -1.56 (+/-1.3). Patients were divided in two groups according to age at Tx: group I (n = 10), younger than 1.0 yr, and group II (n = 26) older than 1.0 yr. Median age (range) at Tx in group I was 0.8 yr (0.7-1.0) and in group II it was 3.35 yr (1.25-12.6). Thirteen patients (nine in group I) were receptors of living related donors. We evaluated linear growth, liver and renal function, immunosuppressive regimen and allograft rejection episodes. We did not find any significant differences in allograft or renal function, immunosuppressive therapy and number of acute rejection episodes or height Z score at Tx, second and third year post-Tx between both groups. The mean height Z score at Tx in group I was -1.61 and in group II -1.54; at the second year, group I -0.66 and group II -1.08; at the third year, group I -0.17 and group II -0.85; and at the seventh year (total group) -0.3. However, the height gain at the third year was better in group I than in group II (p < 0.01, t-test). Height Z score at the third year improved more than 1 SDS in seven out of eight patients in group I and in only nine out of 24 in group II (odds ratio 11.6). We also found a correlation between height gain at the third year and age at Tx (r-0.65) and between height gain at the third year and height Z score at Tx (r-0.54) (Pearson, p < 0.05). Children with BA who are transplanted before 12 months of age presented better catch-up growth without change survival and morbidity. Orthotopic liver Tx improves survival and also enables height gain in these children.     

钙黏蛋白-11在胆道闭锁患儿肝组织中的表达及意义

目的分析钙黏蛋白-11(cadherin-11,CDH11)在胆道闭锁(biliary atresia,BA)患儿肝组织内的表达及意义。方法选取2014年11月至2016年12月就诊的BA和胆总管囊肿(CC)患儿作为研究对象。分析患儿肝脏CDH11与肝纤维化标志基因和血清肝功能指标的相关性。结果 BA组50例,女25例、男25例,中位年龄59.5(46.8～71.8)天;CC组8例,女5例、男3例,中位年龄70.0(49.0～125.3)天。BA组患儿肝脏中CDH11 mRNA表达水平显著高于CC组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。BA肝内CDH11 mRNA表达水平与转化生长因子β1(TGFB1)、转化生长因子β2(TGFB2)、角蛋白19(KRT19)、肌动蛋白α2(ACTA2)、Ⅰ型胶原α1链(COL1A1)和Ⅳ型胶原α1链(COL4A1) mRNA表达水平呈显著正相关(r=0.36～0.73,P均<0.01)。与轻度肝纤维化BA患儿相比,CDH11表达水平在重度肝纤维化BA患儿肝内显著升高(P<0.01)。BA肝内CDH11 mRNA表达水平与血清γ-谷氨酰...     

Early occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in biliary atresia treated by liver transplantation

A case of liver transplantation for HCC complicating BA in an eight-month old infant is reported. HCC in BA is extremely rare. Screening of AFP and ultrasonographic examination should be performed regularly in patients with secondary biliary cirrhosis for early detection of HCC.     

Focal ischemic necrosis in advanced biliary atresia cirrhosis

Abstract:  This report correlates the clinical and biological findings, liver hemodynamics and histological features of focal INL in an infant with BA cirrhosis. An eight month old boy with BA, with previous successful porto-enterostomy, was admitted with signs of cholangitis and ascites. He was treated with antibiotics and diuretics with subsequent clinical improvement. Eight days later, while being fed with hyper-osmolar milk, he became febrile again: ASAT/ALAT climbed (9000/2300 IU/L), liver function deteriorated. Infectious work-up was negative. Liver-ultrasound showed reversed portal flow and a negative arterial diastolic flow. The patient recovered within five days under supportive treatment. A similar event recurred five days later. INL was suspected and semi-urgent living-related liver transplantation was performed, with uneventful post-operative course. Histology of the explanted liver showed extensive foci of INL of different ages. This report illustrates how the association of reversed portal and arterial diastolic flows, with subsequent liver hypoperfusion, may repeatedly cause foci of INL in BA cirrhosis, and lead to rapid progression to liver failure. Because of precarious hepatic blood supply in such patients, close monitoring of portal and diastolic arterial flows is recommended.     

The impact of hepatic portoenterostomy on liver transplantation for the treatment of biliary atresia: early failure adversely affects outcome

The most common indication for pediatric LTx is biliary atresia with failed HPE, yet the effect of previous HPE on the outcome after LTx has not been well characterized. We retrospectively reviewed a single-center experience with 134 consecutive pediatric liver transplants for the treatment of biliary atresia from 1 May 1995 to 28 April 2008. Of 134 patients, 22 underwent LTx without prior HPE (NPE), while 112 patients underwent HPE first. HPE patients were grouped into EF, defined as need for LTx within the first year of life, and LF, defined as need for LTx beyond the first year of life. NPE and EF groups differed significantly from the LF group in age, weight, PELD, and ICU status (p < 0.05) with NPE having the highest PELD and ICU status. Patients who underwent salvage LTx after EF following HPE had a significantly higher incidence of post-operative bacteremia and septicemia (p < 0.05), and subsequently lower survival rates. One-year patient survival and graft survival were as follows: NPE 100%, EF 81%, and LF 96% (p < 0.05); and NPE 96%, EF 79%, and LF 96% (p < 0.05). Further investigation into the optimal treatment of biliary atresia should focus on identifying patients at high risk of EF who may benefit from proceeding directly to LTx given the increased risk of post-LTx bacteremia, sepsis, and death after failed HPE.     

Adjuvant steroid treatment following Kasai portoenterostomy and clinical outcomes of biliary atresia patients: an updated meta-analysis

Background

It is controversial whether adjuvant steroid treatment should be given to biliary atresia (BA) patients following a Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE). This study aimed to quantitatively and systematically evaluate the effect of adjuvant steroid therapy post-KPE in relation to major clinical outcomes of BA patients.

Methods

We systematically reviewed the literature in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang Database, Scholarly and Academic Information Navigator and manually searched for relevant papers published before August, 2015. We extracted data on the effects of steroid treatment following KPE on clinical outcome, including jaundice free rate and native liver survival rate at 6 months, 1 or 2 years after KPE. The weighted overall relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using a random-effects model.

Results

Eight cohort studies and two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified (n=998). Of them, 6 cohort studies and 2 trials investigated the effect of steroid treatment as compared to non-users or placebo (n=566), and 2 cohort studies compared the effects of high-dose to low-dose steroid treatment (n=432). Steroid usage increased the clearance rates of jaundice at 6 months (pooled RR: 1.32; 95% CI: 0.995-1.76; I²=72.6%) and 1 year (pooled RR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.12-1.61; I²=0.0%), but not 2 years (pooled RR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.55-1.22; I²=0.0%) after KPE. There was no solid evidence supporting that steroid treatment would improve native liver survival rate at 6 months (pooled RR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.90-1.15; I²=0.0%), 1 year (pooled RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.91-1.34; I²=35.2%) or 2 years (pooled RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.73-1.35; I²=57.4%) after KPE.

Conclusions

Adjuvant steroid treatment following KPE may improve short-term (≤1 year) clearance rate of jaundice, but no significant effects on long-term (≥2 years) clearance rate of jaundice and native liver survival rate. Studies on doses and duration of steroids, and long-term follow-up studies are warranted.

     

Hedgehog 通路在先天性胆道闭锁发病机制中研究进展

先天性胆道闭锁(congenital biliary atresia,CBA)是一种新生儿早期胆管疾病,导致肝内肝外胆管不同程度的闭锁并造成肝组织纤维化伴肝胆管不可逆性损伤。它是新生儿阻塞性黄疸和小儿肝移植最主要的原因。其发病机制目前尚未研究清楚,是遗传与环境因素共同作用导致的复杂疾病。Hedgehog信号通路在哺乳动物胚胎发育、器官形成及发育中有重要作用。近期研究发现,Hedgehog信号通路在CBA的发生过程中也发挥重要作用。Hedgehog通路的激活会影响胚胎肝脏发育、增强肝胆管纤维化的发生并且阻碍胆管形态的形成,从而导致CBA的发生。文章重点介绍Hedgehog通路在CBA形成过程中所起的重要作用。     

First liver transplantation for biliary atresia in children: The hidden effects of non‐centralization

The aim of our study was to determine the impact of initial orientation for medical and surgical care of children with BA on procedures and outcomes of the first LT. We retrospectively analyzed charts of children with BA who underwent first LT between 2006 and 2015. Patients were divided into two groups for comparison: a single‐center management group (from diagnosis to transplantation) and a secondarily referred group (children referred after failure of KP). We focused analysis on disease severity at transplantation, blood transfusion, and overall survival. One hundred and eighty‐five children were included. The median delay between pretransplant check‐up and transplantation was shorter in patients secondarily referred. A severe undernutrition was observed in 23.7% of children secondarily referred compared to 11.1% in children with a single‐center management (P = .024). At transplantation, INR and factor V level were higher in single‐center group patients (respectively, 67% vs 55%, P < .001 and 61% vs 49%, P = .002). The total of red blood cell and fresh frozen plasma administrated during procedure was two times higher in patients secondarily referred. Finally, patients with a single‐center management had a higher overall 12 months of survival rate (92.1% vs 83.1%, P = .033). In a country without low‐density population issues, the authors advocate an early referring to transplant center to further improving LT outcomes in children with BA.     

Liver transplantation for syndromic biliary atresia with a pedunculated accessory hepatic lobe

Faraj W, Dar F, Marangoni G, Alvarez FE, Howlader M, Mukherji D, Heaton N, Rela M. Liver transplantation for syndromic biliary atresia with a pedunculated accessory hepatic lobe.
Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14: E1–E3. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Abstract:  Extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) is the most common indication for liver transplantation in infants and children. Congenital malformations associated with EHBA are common and present in about 9%–37%. We describe a case of a child who received a left lobe liver transplant for syndromic EHBA.     

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

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.     

Current options for management of biliary atresia

It is encouraging that we are improving the technical aspects of treatment modalities for biliary atresia. However, it is clear that more needs to be done to best develop new treatment plans while applying the modalities we have (porto‐enterostomy or liver transplantation or both) in a way that will afford the best survival and quality‐of‐life. This review article will discuss a number of points that are vital to improving care and illustrates the need to further scrutinize treatment decisions.     

Revisited impact of recipient age on the outcome of living donor liver transplantation for biliary atresia in the recent "transplantation era" in Japan

Abstract:  To re-evaluate the impact of recipient age on the outcome of LDLT for BA in an era in which LDLT is the established treatment for BA in Japan. Thirty-one patients with BA who underwent LDLT were divided into four groups regarding the age at LDLT: infants <1 yr old (group A; n = 14); young children 1 to 6 yr old (group B; n = 8); school children 6 to 15 yr old (group B; n = 5); and adults ≥15 yr old (group D; n = 4). Pre-, peri-, and postoperative factors were compared among the four groups. There was no significant difference in number of the previous laparotomy among the groups. Cholestasis was the dominant indication in group A. PELD score in group B was lower than that in the other groups, and blood loss in group B was significantly less than in groups A and D. Ratio of the graft weight to the recipient's body weight (GRWR) in group A was significantly higher than in other groups. Duration of operation in group D was lower than in groups A and B, but there was no significant difference in the length of postoperative hospital stay and graft survival. Although the case volume was not big, the age of the recipient did not have any significant impact on the outcome of LDLT in our series.     

Apparently increased trough levels of tacrolimus caused by acute infantile diarrhea in two infants with biliary atresia after liver transplantation

Two infants with biliary atresia who exhibited three-fold increased trough levels of tacrolimus and required reduced doses during episodes of acute infantile diarrhea within 5 months of liver transplantation are described. The cause of the increase was not explained simply by hemoconcentration as a result of significant loss of extracellular fluid during these episodes. It does highlight an important issue: that of the continuing need to carefully monitor the trough levels of tacrolimus in such infants.     

Time-course changes in the liver of biliary atresia patients on magnetic resonance imaging

Background:  Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), changes in the livers of postoperative biliary atresia (BA) patients were investigated.
Methods:  Periodic MRI was performed in 32 postoperative BA patients. The findings were evaluated by calculating the near-normal liver tissue area that corresponded with normal- or high-signal regions on T1-weighted imaging. The patients were divided into three groups based on the extent of near-normal liver tissue on the final MRI: group A, n  = 14; group B, n  = 13; and group C, n  = 5, included patients with >40%, 20–40%, and <20% area of near-normal liver tissue, respectively. The relationship among the macroscopic and histological findings in the liver at orthotopic living donor liver transplantation (OLDLT), patient outcomes, and MRI findings were investigated.
Results:  In group A, 11 patients had no evidence of liver dysfunction. In group B, six patients either had undergone or were awaiting OLDLT. In group C, all patients had undergone OLDLT. All patients had either adequate or impaired bile drainage in each liver segment. The segmental changes corresponded with the liver architecture at OLDLT. The changes could be evaluated on MRI at 1–2 years after surgery.
Conclusions:  Adequate and restricted areas of liver tissue with near-normal structure were indicative of good and poor prognoses, respectively. Shortly after portoenterostomy, these segmental changes occurred and/or developed in each liver segment and could be detected on MRI. It is emphasized that patients with >40% area of near-normal liver architecture at the initial stages did not require OLDLT, while those with <20% area did require OLDLT.     

Reimplantation of oesophageal bronchus following a type III oesophageal atresia repair

Oesophageal atresia can be associated with communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformations, the most common being the oesophageal bronchus. Lung resection may be mandatory, but conservative treatment correcting the abnormal airway has been proposed, raising the difficult issue of perioperative ventilatory support. The authors report a case of successful reimplantation of oesophageal bronchus revealed after surgical cure of an oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula.