Biliary tract ultrasound in pediatrics: potential and limitations at different ages
https://doi.org/10.24835/1607-0771-347
Abstract
Objective: to evaluate the potential and limitations of biliary tract ultrasound in children of different age groups and to determine the age-specific values for the diameters of the main biliary tract structures.
Materials and methods: A combined (prospective-retrospective) study of 6,722 children (1 month to 17 years old) with no hepatobiliary pathology. A standardized measurement protocol was performed on expert-class ultrasound scanner with Interobserver reproducibility assessment (ICC, n = 50). Statistical analysis: median, 5th–95th percentiles, and assessment of intergroup differences (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.01).
Results. Significant age differences in the ability to visualize biliary tract structures were revealed. Extrahepatic bile ducts were visualized with high frequency across all age groups (common bile duct (CBD) – 94.8–99.7%, common hepatic duct (CHD) – 78.5–93.5%). Visualization of intrahepatic ducts showed a significant age dependence: visualization of the lobar ducts becomes possible from 1–3 years of age (12.3%) and progressively improves by adolescence (86.2%). The cystic duct remains the least accessible structure for visualization across all age groups (maximum 35.1% in adolescents). Detailed age-specific normative values for the diameters of the main bile ducts were established. Interobserver reproducibility was high for the CBD (ICC = 0.92) and moderate for the CHP (ICC = 0.84).
Conclusions. Our study yielded values for the diameters of extrahepatic bile ducts in children across various age groups.
About the Authors
A. A. Yusufov
Tver State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation;
Children's Regional Clinical Hospital of the Tver Region;
Health Center “Childhood”
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Akif A. Yusufov – MD, Doct. of Sci. (Med.), Head of the Radiology Department; Head of the radiology department, Tver State Medical University;
radiologist, Children's Regional Clinical Hospital of the Tver Region;
ultrasound diagnostic doctor, Health Center “Childhood”, Tver
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9404-6768
M. I. Medvedeva
Tver State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation;
Health Center “Childhood”
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Maria I. Medvedeva – MD, Assistant of the Department of Radiology of the Federal State budgetary institution of higher education Tver State Medical University;
ultrasound diagnostic doctor, pediatrician, Health Center “Childhood”, Tver
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4812-0664
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Review
For citations:
Yusufov A.A., Medvedeva M.I. Biliary tract ultrasound in pediatrics: potential and limitations at different ages. Ultrasound & Functional Diagnostics. 2026;32(2):62-71. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24835/1607-0771-347
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