Ultrasound Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ultrasound, including details on screening, diagnosis, pregnancy, detection.

Prenatal diagnosis of familial type I choledochal cyst.

Clifton MS, Goldstein RB, Slavotinek A, Norton ME, Lee H, Farrell J, Nobuhara KK

Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0570, USA.

Familial choledochal cysts are extremely rare. High-resolution ultrasound now allows for the antenatal diagnosis of these anomalies. After delivery, elective surgical resection should be planned; however, increases in size, deterioration of liver function, and ascending cholangitis frequently force early intervention. We report an unusual occurrence of siblings with type I choledochal cysts and review the existing literature on cause, genetics, classification, diagnosis, and management of this disease.

Published 2 March 2006 in Pediatrics, 117(3): e596-600.
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