[Echographic aspects of Caroli disease].

We describe a case of congenital non-obstructive dilatation of the hepatic bile ducts (Caroli disease). The accuracy of ultrasound for the diagnosis of this syndrome is pointed out. Ultrasound scan can be carried out easily and with a remarkable imaging precision. The ultrasonographic patterns consist of both evident dilatation of the ducts and characteristic protrusions connecting the ductal walls to intraluminal portal branches (bridging). These sonographic findings confirm the etiopathogenetic hypothesis according to which Caroli disease is a result of the blockage of the bile ducts development. Moreover, we underline the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of the chronic cholestasis, always present in this disease.