[Sonographic diagnosis of the bile ducts in childhood].

The prerequisite for the sonographic diagnosis of biliary tract pathology is the recognition of the normal biliary tract even in neonates, as demonstrated in a prospective study on 78 neonates. Contraction of the gallbladder as a sign of biliary excretion into the duodenum could be regularly observed. The sonographic patterns typical of common bile duct obstruction, choledochal cyst, biliary atresia, neonatal hepatitis, paucity of the interlobular ducts, Caroli's disease, cholecystectasia, cholecystitis and cholecystolithiasis are described. Based on the findings in 26 infants with proven cholestatic syndrome, the diagnostic significance of the established sonographic criteria is discussed.