BILE-DUCT PATTERNS IN THE HILAR REGION OF THE LIVER IN 2 CASES OF BILIARY ATRESIA

Bile duct patterns in the hilar region of the liver were demonstrated in two autopsy cases of biliary atresia by three-dimensional graphic reconstructions. In one case, jaundice had completely disappeared after successful hepatic portojejunostomy. However, at the age of 4 months, this patient died of cardiac failure caused by endocardial cushion defect. The histological reconstruction of this case showed that there were large patent bile ducts, 150 μm to 400 μm in diameter, and plenty of bile ductules surrounding the large ducts to form networks. The other patient died of hepatic failure at the age of 9 months. In this case, only a few large ducts ended in bile lakes that did not connect with the portojejunostomy, and only a few ductules were found around the large ducts. These results indicate that the existence of networks of bile ductules and the patency of large bile ducts at the porta hepatis contribute to good postoperative bile excretion. © 1990.