BACKGROUND: Because of recent improvements in diagnostic procedures, many cases of @entity384 of the bile duct (CDBD) have been diagnosed in early life. To determine the mode of presentation and changes in diagnostic tools, medical records of 34 @entity1 (25 @entity1 , nine @entity1 ) with CDBD who were treated between 1982 and 2000 were reviewed. RESULTS: The age at presentation ranged from 0 to 16 years (median 4.9 +/- 0.7 years), with two @entity1 being diagnosed using prenatal ultrasonography. Of the 32 @entity1 diagnosed post-natally, 21 (66%) complained of @entity490 . There were also 21 (66%) cases of @entity391 . Sixteen @entity1 (50%) experienced both these symptoms. Ten (31%) cases presented with @entity1087 and three (9%) presented with a palpable mass. Ultrasonography was used as a diagnostic tool in 29 cases (85%). The finding of a dilated common bile duct on abdominal ultrasonography was helpful for early diagnosis. Spiral computed tomography was also a useful and accurate imaging method for diagnosis. Anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction (PBJ) was demonstrated in 44% of @entity1 with CDBD. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, which can be performed non-invasively, is useful for the diagnosis and pre-operative assessment of CDBD in @entity1 . The average length of time from presentation to diagnosis could be shortened from 46 days (1982-1988) to 13 days (1995-2000). CONCLUSION: Recent improvements in diagnostic procedures make immediate, non-invasive diagnosis of CDBD and PBJ possible.

XXXX of the bile duct: changes in diagnostic tools over the past 19 years.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children', 'patients', 'girls', 'boys'] @entity1087 :: ('MESH:D007565', 'Disease') :: ['jaundice'] @entity384 :: ('MESH:D002311', 'Disease') :: ['congenital dilatation'] @entity391 :: ('MESH:D014839', 'Disease') :: ['vomiting'] @entity490 :: ('MESH:D015746', 'Disease') :: ['abdominal pain']
@entity384 :: (MESH:D002311,Disease) :: ['Congenital dilatation']
