M Matar1, J-M Ayoubi2, O Picone3. 1. Service de gynécologie obstétrique, hôpital Foch, 40, rue Worth, 92151 Suresnes, France. 2. Service de gynécologie obstétrique, hôpital Foch, 40, rue Worth, 92151 Suresnes, France; Université Versailles St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. 3. Service de gynécologie obstétrique, hôpital Foch, 40, rue Worth, 92151 Suresnes, France; Collège français d'échographie fœtale, France; EA2493, UFR des sciences de la santé « Simone-Veil », UVSQ, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France. Electronic address: o.picone@hopital-foch.org.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to review the possible consequences and management possibilities of fetal gallbladder abnormalities. MEANS AND METHODS: A search through publications was conducted using the Pubmed database. RESULT: The majority of fetal gallbladder abnormalities are benign (absence, malformation, cholelithiasis, sludge...). When the absence of gallbladder is isolated, biliary tract atresia, that is a rare but severe disease, must be evoked. CONCLUSION: An extensive morphological analysis of the fetus is required in cases with gallbladder abnormalities. An amniocentesis for caryotype analysis must be proposed when an absent gallbladder is associated with other fetal abnormalities and in all cases of absent gallbladder for digestive enzymes evaluation to rule out a biliary atresia.
OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to review the possible consequences and management possibilities of fetal gallbladder abnormalities. MEANS AND METHODS: A search through publications was conducted using the Pubmed database. RESULT: The majority of fetal gallbladder abnormalities are benign (absence, malformation, cholelithiasis, sludge...). When the absence of gallbladder is isolated, biliary tract atresia, that is a rare but severe disease, must be evoked. CONCLUSION: An extensive morphological analysis of the fetus is required in cases with gallbladder abnormalities. An amniocentesis for caryotype analysis must be proposed when an absent gallbladder is associated with other fetal abnormalities and in all cases of absent gallbladder for digestive enzymes evaluation to rule out a biliary atresia.