Biliary atresia with aneurysmal dilatation of hepatic artery: A rare anomaly.

INTRODUCTION: The coexistent biliary atresia with aneurysmal dilatation of hepatic artery is a rare association. To know these anomalies will avoid many per operative complications. It is also important to mention that these children require liver transplantation in the long run then these vascular anomalies become more relevant. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A four month old male child presented with features of biliary atresia. On exploration a cystic expansile mass was detected beneath thread like common bile duct. Subsequent aspiration and studies proved it to be aneurysmal dilatation of hepatic artery. DISCUSSION: With biliary atresia many vascular and cardiac malformations have been described but aneurysmal dilatation of hepatic artery is a rare association. These anomalies may have impact on aetiopathogenesis of biliary atresia and also future liver transplantation.
CONCLUSION: Awareness of rare association of hepatic artery aneurysm with biliary atresia will help in understanding aetiopathogenesis of biliary atresia and planning liver transplantation in such cases.