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Gallbladder Changes in Neonatal Hepatitis: Markedly Thickened Wall and Lack of Contractility
Author(s) -
Nakamura Michiru,
Matui Akira,
Sasaki Nobuhiko,
Shinohara Naohiro,
Taniguchi Nobuyuki,
Itoh Kouichi
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-200x.1992.tb00992.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gallbladder , contractility , neonatal hepatitis , biliary atresia , jaundice , hepatitis , gastroenterology , ultrasonography , contraction (grammar) , radiology , liver transplantation , transplantation
The gallbladder wall changes were observed on ultrasonography during the course of a patient with neonatal hepatitis. The gallbladder was not detected at 53 days of age, but on the next day its wall was observed to be markedly thickened and without contraction following the administration of cerulein. It had a thinner wall at 57 days of age and reacted to cerulein. The wall thickness and contractility went together with the improvement of jaundice and liver function tests. Histological diagnosis was compatible with neonatal hepatitis. Ultrasonographic detection of the gallbladder has been helpful to differentiate neonatal hepatitis from biliary atresia. It is reported to be compatible with neonatal hepatitis to detect a normal‐sized gallbladder or its contraction following cerulein administration or feeding. Since this case did not meet these criteria initially, thickened wall of the gallbladder may be an additional finding indicating neonatal hepatitis. The importance of repeated ultrasonography and clinical correlation was stressed.