Neonatal giant cell hepatitis secondary to extrahepatic biliary atresia associated with choledochal cyst

Abstract

Neonatal hepatitis (NH) and biliary atresia (BA) are the most common causes of cholestasis in infancy. NH is a nonobstructive type of neonatal cholestatic syndrome manifesting with hepatitis. BA is an obstructive inflammatory syndrome of the extrahepatic biliary tract. BA accounts for 40% of cholestasis in infancy, and NH accounts for 10%–15% cases of neonatal cholestasis. Choledochal cyst is a congenital abnormality characterized by cystic dilatation of the biliary tree. The clinical presentation of these two conditions is very much similar and hence poses a challenge for diagnosis. Radiological studies are beneficial for the preliminary diagnosis of BA and choledochal cyst. BA and choledochal cyst are amenable to surgical treatment, while NH is not. Histopathological examination of the liver biopsy helps differentiate BA from NH.