Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Spontaneous biliary perforation in infancy and childhood: Clues to diagnosis

  • Clinical Brief
  • Published:
The Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Spontaneous perforation of extrahepatic bile duct is rare. The cause is idiopathic once trauma and choledochal cyst are ruled out. The condition presents a diagnostic dilemma. Preoperative recognition is necessary as early surgical intervention gives excellent prognosis. We report clinical observations made in three cases with acute presentations. Diagnosis is to be suspected by the presence of jaundice after an initial anicteric period of good health with biliary ascites. This is confirmed by bilious abdominal paracentesis, signs of peritonitis and absent free gas on x ray. The constellation of these three findings was constant in three patients. The presented paper highlights the same as reliable clues to diagnosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Caulfield E. Bile Peritonitis in infancy. Amer J Diseases in Children 1936; 52: 1348–1360.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Chardot C, Iskandarani F et al. Spontaneous perforation of the biliary tract in infancy: a series of 11 cases. Eur J Pediatr Surg 1996; Dec: 6(6): 341–346.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Lilly JR, Weintraub WH et al. Spontaneous perforation of the extrahepatic bile ducts and bile peritonitis in infancy. Surgery 1992; 111: 237–239.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Edward R Howard, Spontaneous Biliary Perforation In surgery of liver bile duct and pancreas in children. 2nd. Arnold Publisher 2002; 169–174 Ch 11.

  5. N Spigland, R Greco, D Rosenfeld Spontaneous biliary perforation: Does external drainage constitute adequate therapy? J Pediatr Surg 1996 Jun; 31(6): 782–784.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Stringel G, Mercer S Idiopathic perforation of the biliary tract in infancy. J Pediatr Surg 1983; 18: 546–550.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hammoudi SM, Allauddin A Idiopathic perforation of the biliary tract in infancy and childhood. J Pediatr Surg 1988; 23(2): 185–187.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ravi P. Kanojia.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kanojia, R.P., Sinha, S.K., Rawat, J. et al. Spontaneous biliary perforation in infancy and childhood: Clues to diagnosis. Indian J Pediatr 74, 509–510 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-007-0091-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-007-0091-1

Key words

Navigation