Ultrasonography, laboratory, and cholangiography correlation of biliary complications in pediatric liver transplantation.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to correlate the US, laboratory, and cholangiography findings in pediatric liver transplant patients with biliary complications, trying to identify reliable decision-making tools for the management of these complications. Retrospective review was carried out of US results in 39 consecutive patients, from 2011 to 2013, with biliary complications after LT, documented by PTC. According to US biliary dilation, patients were classified as: mild, moderate, and severe, and according to laboratory findings as: normal or abnormal serum bilirubin and level of serum GGT. Data were correlated with PTC findings, divided in three groups: mild, moderate, and severe/occlusive BDS. There was no statistically significant correlation between the US findings and the laboratory findings and between US findings with PTC. There was a statistically significant correlation between GGT and cholangiography. In our series, abnormal US could not predict the severity of BDS on PTC. Bilirubin results were not able to predict the US findings either. GGT results demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with the severity of BDS found on PTC. These findings emphasize the role of GGT in the evaluation and decision of biliary interventions in pediatric liver transplant recipients.