Percutaneous Cholecystocholangiography-A Tool to Conclusively Exclude Biliary Atresia.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous cholecystocholangiography (PCC) in cases of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in which biliary atresia (BA) could not be diagnosed or ruled out based on clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings. This was a retrospective, chart review of all cholestatic infants who underwent PCC within the last 5 y. PCC was performed via the transhepatic route using 23-g needle. The patency of both the proximal and distal biliary trees was assessed. PCC was technically feasible in 12/13 (92.3%) of infants without any procedure-related complications. PCC demonstrated proximal and distal biliary patencyin 7/12 (58.3%) infants, thereby avoiding unnecessary laparotomy in them. PCC failed to demonstrate biliary patency in 5 infants; of which, 4 were confirmed as cases of BA on laparotomy. PCC can correctly differentiate BA from non-BA cases of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia preoperatively, reducing the negative laparotomy rates.

Cystatin C: best biomarker for acute kidney injury and estimation of glomerular filtration rate in childhood cirrhosis.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of serum cystatin C, urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and renal resistive index (RRI) in AKI among pediatric cirrhotics. The study included cirrhotic children under 18 years of age. AKI was diagnosed as per Kidney Diseases-Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. All patients underwent measurement of serum cystatin C, urinary NGAL, and RRI at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. eGFR was calculated using both creatinine- and cystatin-based equations. Of the 247 cirrhotics admitted during the study, 100 gave consent and were included. Forty-one fulfilled the KDIGO definition of AKI of whom 22 showed resolution. Two of these children had a repeat AKI at 2 and 4 months after initial AKI; both resolved with medical management. On logistic regression analysis, serum cystatin C (OR: 544.8, 95% CI: 24.4-12170, p < 0.0005) and urinary NGAL (OR: 1.006, 95% CI: 1001-1.012, p = 0.019) were found to be significantly associated with AKI. Cystatin C alone was the best biomarker for diagnosing AKI in children with decompensation (OR: 486.7, p < 0.0005) or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (p = 0.02). eGFR calculated by serum cystatin C-based formulas was more reliable than that calculated by creatinine-based equations.Conclusion: Serum cystatin C is the best biomarker for diagnosis of AKI in pediatric cirrhotics, especially with decompensation and SBP. eGFR calculated on serum cystatin C-based equations is more reliable than creatinine-based ones. What is Known: • Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in cirrhotic adults. • Newer biomarkers have diagnostic and prognostic role in adult cirrhotics. What is New: • Serum cystatin C is a useful biomarker to identify acute kidney injury in cirrhotic children with decompensation. • Glomerular filtration rate calculation is more accurate by cystatin-based equations than creatinine-based equations.

Dynamic Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter (ONSD) guided management of raised intracranial pressure in pediatric acute liver failure.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The objectives were to evaluate the role of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) to detect raised intracranial pressure (ICP) in pediatric acute liver failure (PALF), study the variations in ONSD with ICP-lowering measures and to evaluate its prognostic role. METHODS: PALF with clinical evidence of raised ICP were enrolled as cases, while those without raised ICP were control group A. ONSD was measured at admission and repeated regularly. It was also measured at time of each new episode of raised ICP and 2 h after the management of such episode. RESULTS: 31 PALF with raised ICP were included as cases and 15 without as control group A. ONSD was significantly higher in cases: 5 mm (IQR: 4.7-5.4) as compared to control group A: 3.8 mm (IQR: 3.3-4). ONSD greater than 4.55 mm at baseline diagnosed clinically raised ICP with 87.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The mean ONSD was 5.44 ± 0.49 mm during a total of 90 events of acute raised ICP. Clinical responders had a decrease in ONSD by 0.59 ± 0.24 mm by 2 h, whereas non-responders showed a decrease of 0.18 ± 0.23 mm, p < 0.0005. ONSD persisting more than 4.6 mm by 24 h of management predicted poor outcome with sensitivity and specificity of 83.3% and 72.7%. CONCLUSION: ONSD is a simple, bedside, inexpensive, reproducible and repeatable modality to assess ongoing change in ICP in PALF. ONSD more than 4.55 mm suggests raised ICP. The goal should be to bring ONSD down to less than 4.6 mm within 24 h by aggressive anti-ICP therapy to achieve favourable outcome.