Multidisciplinary management and follow-up study of Alagille syndrome / 国际儿科学杂志

Objective:To explore the multidisciplinary management that centred on gastroenterology department, and follow-up study of children with Alagille syndrome(ALGS).Methods:The clinical data of 19 children diagnosed with ALGS in Pediatric Gastroenterology Department, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University since June 2013 to December 2022 was retrospectively analyzed, and the clinical manifestations of various systems of the body were followed up and evaluated, and then developed the personalised management strategies.Results:Among the 19 confirmed patients, 18 cases were confirmed by genetic testing.Eighteen cases(94.7%) had characteristic facial features.To follow-up node, 8 cases(42.1%) had cholestasis, with alanine aminotransferase(210.20±110.50)U/L, aspartate aminotransferase(187.86±96.70)U/L, and direct bilirubin(110.93±108.15)μmol/L.Eighteen cases(94.7%) had pruritus.Eighteen cases(94.7%) of the patients had a high risk of malnutrition, and the level of total bilirubin[(76.17±107.34)μmol/L] and total bile acid[(100.18±83.78)μmol/L] were significantly increased in the children with obvious growth retardation.Thirteen cases(68.42%) had diffuse liver injury.The clinical opinions on genetic counseling, application of new drugs, liver transplantation, cardiac medicine and surgery follow-up, spine and oral surgery orthodontics were given by multiple disciplines.Conclusion:ALGS children have a high risk of long-term malnutrition and are associated with the severity of liver injury, and pruritus and jaundice are the main clinical manifestations.The management of ALGS patients should be centered around liver disease doctors, combined with multiple disciplines, paying attention to changes in various related organs of ALGS patients, and improving their quality of life.

Síndrome de Alagille, reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Alagille Syndrome, case study and literature review / Sindrome de Alagille, relato de caso e revisão de literatura

El síndrome de Alagille es una patología poco frecuente, de herencia autosómica dominante. Se caracteriza por la presencia de colestasis crónica progresiva ocasionada por hipoplasia de las vías biliares; anomalías vertebrales, oculares y cardíacas, y fenotipo facial particular. Entre sus diagnósticos diferenciales se incluyen las infecciones, enfermedades endocrinometabólicas, atresia biliar y causas idiopáticas. El pronóstico de este síndrome es variable y depende de la entidad de la afectación hepática y los defectos cardiovasculares. El abordaje terapéutico suele ser interdisciplinario e individualizado, enfocado en el control sintomático, prevención de la malnutrición y el déficit de vitaminas liposolubles. Se presenta el caso de un lactante de 2 meses en el que se estudiaron las causas más frecuentes de colestasis y se llegó al diagnóstico de síndrome de Alagille. Se describe su abordaje terapéutico y seguimiento.

Alagille syndrome is an inherited autosomal dominant rare disease. It is characterized by the presence of progressive chronic cholestasis caused by hypoplasia of the bile ducts; vertebral, ocular and cardiac anomalies, and particular facial phenotype. Its differential diagnoses include infections, endocrine-metabolic diseases, biliary atresia and idiopathic causes. The prognosis of this syndrome is variable and depends on the degree of liver involvement and cardiovascular defects. The therapeutic approach is usually interdisciplinary and customized, focused on symptomatic control, prevention of malnutrition and fat-soluble vitamin deficiency. We present the case of a 2-month-old infant in whom the most frequent causes of cholestasis were studied and to whom Alagille Syndrome was diagnosed. We hereby describe its therapeutic approach and follow-up.

A síndrome de Alagille é uma doença rara, hereditária, autossômica e dominante. Caracteriza-se pela presença de colestase crônica progressiva causada por hipoplasia das vias biliares; anomalias vertebrais, oculares e cardíacas e fenótipo facial particular. Seus diagnósticos diferenciais incluem infecções, doenças endócrino-metabólicas, atresia biliar e causas idiopáticas. O prognóstico desta síndrome é variável e depende do grau de envolvimento hepático e defeitos cardiovasculares. A abordagem terapêutica geralmente é interdisciplinar e personalizada, focada no controle sintomático, prevenção da desnutrição e deficiência de vitaminas lipossolúveis. Apresentamos o caso de uma criança de 2 meses de idade em que foram estudadas as causas mais frequentes de colestase e a quem foi diagnosticada Síndrome de Alagille. Descrevemos a sua abordagem terapêutica e seguimento.

Alagille syndrome misdiagnosed as biliary atresia a case report and literature review / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: By report a case in which the main symptom was cholestasis in an infant and the diagnosis of Alagille syndrome (ALGS) was made after a tortuous treatment process, so as to provide clinicians with experience in diagnosing this type of patient. The patient was a 1-year and 11-month-old male who was admitted to the hospital with "abnormal liver function found for more than 1 year". Physical examination showed a wide forehead, sunken eye sockets, wide eye spacing, a sharp chin, and a grade II systolic murmur in the pulmonary valve region. Biochemical findings showed abnormal liver function accompanied by significant elevation of total bile acids and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. CT scan of the thoracic vertebrae showed sagittal vertebral fractures in the thoracic 3-7 vertebrae, and pulmonary arteriography showed pulmonary stenosis and genetic testing indicated a JAG1 mutation. Combining the patient's specific facial features, heart defects, spinal deformities, and bile stasis clinical symptoms, along with the genetic analysis results, the final diagnosis was confirmed as Alagille syndrome. Alagille syndrome is the most common cause of chronic cholestasis with phenotypic features and is a dominant inherited disease involving multiple systems. Most patients present with bile stasis as the main symptom within the first three months after birth. Alagille syndrome needs to be distinguished from various forms of cholestasis in infancy, and since biliary atresia requires early surgical treatment, most children with cholestasis as the main clinical manifestation are considered to have biliary atresia at an early stage and undergo a caesarean section. If Alagille syndrome is misdiagnosed as biliary atresia, and surgery may worsen the prognosis. Therefore, the biggest challenge in the early diagnosis of Alagille syndrome is how to distinguish it from biliary atresia. Therefore, physicians need to improve their knowledge of rare cholestatic liver disease in clinical practice to accurately identify rare cholestatic liver disease in the early stages of the disease, and improve improve their diagnosis and treatment levels.

Curious Case of Alagille Syndrome: Case Report with NANDANIC-NOC Linkage in Care Plan

Alagille syndrome is a rare and complex multisystem disorder caused by an autosomal dominant genetic mutation of JAG1 (90% cases) and NOTCH2 (1-2% cases) genes located on the short arm of chromosome 20. This case is reported as per the CARE (for Case Reports, 2013) guidelines. A 14-year old male, known case of chronic cholestatic liver disease of neonatal onset, diagnosed with Alagille syndrome as evident from NOTCH 2 mutation in genetic analysis and paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts on biopsy presented with portal hypertension, growth failure and persistent hyperbilirubinemia.

Pediatric liver transplantation for Alagille syndrome: a single-center experience / 器官移植

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of liver transplantation in children with Alagille syndrome (ALGS). Methods Clinical data of 12 children with ALGS were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Clinical characteristics of children with ALGS, pathological characteristics of liver tissues, characteristics of liver transplantation, postoperative complications and follow-up of children with ALGS were analyzed. Results JAG1 gene mutation and typical facial features was present in all 12 children. Jaundice was the most common initial symptom, which occurred at 7 (3, 40) d after birth. Upon liver transplantation, the Z scores of height and body weight were calculated as -2.14 (-3.11, -1.83) and -2.32 (-3.12, -1.12). Five children developed severe growth retardation and 4 children with severe malnutrition. Eight of 12 children were diagnosed with cardiovascular abnormalities. Pathological examination showed that the lobular structure of the diseased livers of 4 children was basically maintained, and 8 cases of nodular liver cirrhosis in different sizes including 1 case of single early moderately-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. Three children were misdiagnosed with biliary atresia and underwent Kasai portoenterostomy. Eight children underwent living donor liver transplantation, three children underwent cadaveric donor liver transplantation (two cases of split liver transplantation and one case of cadaveric total liver transplantation), and one child underwent domino liver transplantation (donor liver was derived from a patient with maple syrup urine disease). during the follow-up of 30.0(24.5, 41.7) months, the survival rates of the children and liver grafts were both 100%. During postoperative follow-up, the Z scores of height and body weight were calculated as -1.24 (-2.11, 0.60) and -0.83 (-1.65, -0.43), indicating that the growth and development of the children were significantly improved after operation. Conclusions Liver transplantation is an efficacious treatment for children with ALGS complicated with decompensated cirrhosis, severe itching and poor quality of life. For children with ALGS complicated with cardiovascular abnormalities, explicit preoperative evaluation should be delivered, and consultation with pediatric cardiologists should be performed if necessary.

Síndrome de Alagille: una causa de colestasis del lactante a tener en cuenta / Alagille syndrome: cause of the child's cholestasis to have in account

RESUMEN Fundamento: el síndrome de Alagille, también conocido como displasia arteriohepática, es una enfermedad poco frecuente en lactantes. Es una enfermedad hereditaria, de transmisión autosómica dominante con penetración incompleta. Clínicamente se determina por cinco características principales: colestasis, estenosis pulmonar congénita, vértebras en forma de mariposa, alteraciones oculares y unas facciones singulares. Objetivo: presentar el caso de un lactante con síndrome de Alagille como causa de colestasis crónica. Presentación del caso: paciente de raza blanca, femenina de dos meses de edad, procedente de la provincia Camagüey, que ingresó en Hospital Pediátrico Eduardo Agramonte Piña en octubre 2018, con antecedentes de bajo peso al nacer, que presentó íctero, coluria, acolia, fenotipo peculiar (cara triangular, hipertelorismo, frente ancha, ojos profundos, mentón puntiagudo) y ganancia insuficiente de peso. Por esta sintomatología es atendida por la especialidad de Gastroenterología. Conclusiones: se debe sospechar el síndrome de Alagille en lactantes con síntomas y signos de colestasis crónica. Su seguimiento es ambulatorio, en consulta de hepatopatía crónica.

ABSTRACT Background: Alagille syndrome, also known as arterio-hepatic dysplasia, is a rare disease in infants. It is a hereditary disease, of autosomal dominant transmission with incomplete penetration. Clinically, it is determined by five main characteristics: cholestasis, congenital pulmonary stenosis, butterfly-shaped vertebrae, ocular alterations, and unique features. Objective: to present a case of an infant with Alagille syndrome as cause of chronic cholestasis. Case report: a two month old female white patient from the Camagüey province, who was admitted to the Eduardo Agramonte Piña Pediatric Hospital in October 2018, with a history of low birth weight, who presented with icterus, coluria, acholia, peculiar phenotype (triangular face, hypertelorism, wide forehead, deep eyes, pointed chin) and insufficient weight gain. For these symptoms she is attended by the specialty of Gastroenterology. Conclusions: the Alagille syndrome must be suspected in infants with symptoms and signs of chronic cholestasis. Their follow-up is ambulatory, in chronic hepatopaty's consultation.

Escasez de conductos biliares: etiología de colestasis neonatal / Shortage of bile ducts: aetiology of neonatal cholestasis

Reportamos el caso de lactante con colestasis que fue diagnosticado como síndrome de Alagille sindrómico. La característica principal de la enfermedad es la escasez de conductos biliares. Es una enfermedad hereditaria, de transmisión autosómica dominante con penetración incompleta, secundaria a mutaciones en los genes JAG1 (más del 90%) y NOTCH21, que inducen una alteración del desarrollo embriológico que afecta a estructuras dependientes del mesodermo.Describimos el caso y discutimos sus hallazgos clínicos y radiológicos.

We report the case of an infant with cholestasis who was diagnosed as syndromic Alagille syndrome. The main feature of the disease is a shortage of bile ducts. It is a hereditary disease, of autosomal dominant transmission with incomplete penetration, secondary to mutations in the JAG1 (more than 90%) and NOTCH21 genes, which induce an alteration of embryological development that affects mesoderm-dependent structures. We describe the case and discuss its clinical and radiological findings.

Síndrome de Alagille / Alagille syndrome

Resumen Introducción: El síndrome de Alagille es una enfermedad con múltiples afectaciones, es autosómica dominante, con expresividad variable. Se identifica por manifestaciones hepáticas, vertebrales, cardiacas, oculares y dismorfia facial. Objetivo: Reportar un caso de S. de Alagille con afectación hepática, que debuta con hemorragia de vías digestivas altas. Materiales y métodos: Reporte de caso clínico confrontando con artículos de revisiones de temas en búsqueda electrónica en bases de datos de RIMA, MEDLINE, PUBMED, MEDSCAPE, de 1993-2018. Resultado: Paciente de 2 años, con diagnóstico tardío de enfermedad hepática, con progresión a cirrosis y hallazgos al examen físico que confirman Síndrome de Alagille. Se confirma el diagnóstico molecular coincidiendo con el principal hallazgo genético con anomalías asociadas al gen Jagged 1 (JAG1) localizado en el cromosoma 20 y el NOTCH2 del cromosoma 1. Conclusiones: Es de gran importancia resaltar esta patología infrecuente la cual representa un reto diagnóstico, debe tenerse en cuenta la múltiple afectación orgánica por lo cual es fundamental un manejo interdisciplinario

Abstract Introduction: Alagille syndrome is a disease with multiple impairments, is autosomal dominant with variable expressivity. It is identified by manifestations of vertebral, liver, heart, eye and facial dysmorphia. Objective: Report a case of Alagille S. with hepatic involvement, debuting with hemorrhage of upper digestive tract. Materials and methods: Clinical case report confronting articles reviewing subjects in electronic search in RIMA databases, MEDLINE, PUBMED, MEDSCAPE, from 1993-2018. Result: 2 year old patient, with late diagnosis of liver disease, with progression to cirrhosis and physical exam findings that confirm Alagille Syndrome. Confirmed the diagnostic molecular coinciding with the main genetic finding which are anomalies associated with the gene Jagged 1 (JAG1) located on chromosome 20 and the NOTCH2 of chromosome 1. Conclusions: It is important to highlight this uncommon disease which poses a diagnostic challenge, multiple organic involvement must be taken into account by which an interdisciplinary management is essential.

Anomalías renales en niños con síndrome de Alagille / Renal manifestations in children with Alagille syndrome

Introducción. El síndrome de Alagille (SA) es una enfermedad colestásica debida a la escasez de los conductos biliares interlobulares. Se asocia con manifestaciones extrahepáticas, y el compromiso renal es frecuente. Objetivos. Describir la prevalencia, tipo y evolución de la patología renal en niños con SA. Pacientes y métodos. Se estudió retrospectivamente la presencia y evolución de la patología renal en 21 niños que reunían criterios de SA. Resultados. En 18 pacientes (85,7%), se observó patología renal: (1) alteraciones ecográficas en 7 (displasia renal bilateral en 6 y agenesia renal en 1); (2) acidosis tubular renal distal en 2; (3) caída de filtrado glomerular y/o proteinuria en 16. La frecuencia de caída de filtrado glomerular fue similar entre pacientes con y sin ecografía renal patológica. Conclusiones. Nuestro estudio confirma una alta prevalencia de compromiso renal, lo que enfatiza la importancia del diagnóstico y seguimiento de la función renal en niños con SA.

Introduction. Alagille syndrome (AS) is a cholestatic disease secondary to scarcity of interlobular bile ducts. It is associated with extrahepatic manifestations, and renal involvement is frequent. Objectives. To describe the prevalence, type and outcome of renal pathology in children with AS. Patients and Methods. The presence and outcome of renal pathology was retrospectively studied in 21 children who met AS criteria. Results. Renal pathology was observed in 18 patients (85.7%): (1) ultrasound variations in 7 patients (6 cases of bilateral renal dysplasia and 1 case of renal agenesis); (2) distal renal tubular acidosis in 2 patients; (3) a drop in glomerular filtration and/or proteinuria in 16 patients. The frequency of a drop in glomerular filtration was similar between patients with and without pathological kidney ultrasound findings. Conclusions. Our study confirms a high prevalence of renal involvement, which enhances the importance of diagnosis and renal function follow-up in children with AS.

Increased levels of chitotriosidase in a patient with Alagille syndrome: association or coincidence? / Aumento dos níveis de quitotriosidase em um paciente com síndrome de Alagille: associação ou coincidência?

ABSTRACT We describe a case of a patient with Alagille syndrome (AS) presenting an increased level of the enzyme chitotriosidase (ChT), evaluating factors that could justify the relationship between AS and ChT. He was a male patient with cholestatic jaundice, facial dysmorphia and congenital heart disease who presented a brief septicemia. He underwent liver biopsy and analyses for inborn errors of metabolism that respectively showed ductopenia and increased levels of ChT. This increase could be potentially explained by inflammatory and infectious processes, or even by AS itself.

RESUMO Descrevemos o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino com síndrome de Alagille (SA), o qual manifestou aumento do nível da enzima quitotriosidase (ChT). Avaliamos os fatores que pudessem justificar a relação entre AS e ChT. O paciente apresentou icterícia colestática, tinha dismorfias faciais, cardiopatia congênita e manifestou um breve quadro de septicemia. Foi submetido à biópsia de fígado e análises para erros inatos do metabolismo que mostraram, respectivamente, ductopenia e aumento dos níveis de ChT. Esse aumento poderia ser potencialmente explicado por processos infecciosos e inflamatórios, ou mesmo pela própria SA.

Clinical and genetic analysis of eleven pediatric patients with Alagille syndrome / 中华儿科杂志

Objective@#To explore the clinical and molecular genetic features of patients with Alagille syndrome (AS).@*Methods@#The clinical data of eleven pediatric patients, who were suspected to have AS at the Department of Pediatrics in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from August 2010 to March 2017, were collected and analyzed. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of the patients and their parents. For 5 patients collected before March 2006, all JAG1 exons and their flanking sequences were directly sequenced. For the remaining 6 patients, high-throughput gene capture technology, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and whole-genome copy-number variant(CNV) analysis were utilized, when necessary, to explore the genetic causes.@*Results@#All patients had cholestasis. However, the γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels in one patient were normal. Nine patients had posterior embryotoxon and facial malformations. Eight patients displayed heart defects. Seven patients presented with vertebral anomalies and among them, 1 patient had sacralization of the cubitus and radius. The condition of nine patients tended to be stabilized on follow-up, but 1 patient died of liver failure in late infancy and 1 got worse. Seven JAG1 variants were detected in 9 out of the 11 AS patients, with c.1977G>A (p.Trp659*) and c.1106_1107delCC (p.Pro369fs) being two novel variants. Two heterozygous interstitial deletions of 3.0 Mb and 9.24 Mb in size, respectively, in chromosome 20 were discovered in the remaining 2 patients. Both deletions involved the entire JAG1 gene. De novo origin was unveiled for the detected variants in 7 patients and interstitial deletions in two. Although the mother of 2 patients carried the relevant variant, she did not demonstrate any clinical features of AS.@*Conclusions@#With cholestasis, posterior embryotoxon, facial malformations, heart defects and vertebral anomalies being the major manifestations, AS demonstrated variable clinical expressivities and incomplete penetrance. This study identified a total of 7 JAG1 variants as well as 2 interstitial deletions involving this gene, and among them, the variants c.1977G>A (p.Trp659* ) and c.1106_1107delCC (p.Pro369fs) as well as the 9.24 Mb chromosomal interstitial deletion had not been reported previously.

Clinical Features and Genetic Analysis of Pediatric Patients with Alagille Syndrome Presenting Initially with Liver Function Abnormalities / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Alagille syndrome (AGS) is a multisystem disorder and caused by mutations in JAG1 or NOTCH2 gene.The diagnosis of AGS is hampered by its highly variable clinical manifestations.We performed a retrospective analysis on 16 children diagnosed as having AGS in recent five years in our hospital.Cholestasis was seen in 15 patients (93.8％),heart disease in 12 (75％),characteristic facies in 7 (43.8％),and butterfly vertebrae in 7 (43.8％).Ophthalmology examination was not performed on all the patients.Further,serum biochemical parameters were compared between AGS and 16 biliary atresia (BA) patients who were confirmed by surgery.Elevated liver enzymes were seen in all the patients.Serum total cholesterol (TC) (P=0.0007),alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P=0.0056),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P=0.0114),gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (P=0.035) and total bile acid (TBA) levels (P=0.042) were significantly elevated in AGS patients compared to those in BA cases.However,there were no significant differences in serum total bilirubin (TB),conjugated bilirubin (CB) and albumin (ALB) between the two groups.We identified 14 different JAG1 gene variations and 1 NOTCH2 gene mutation in 16 Chinese AGS patients.Our study suggested clinical features of AGS are highly variable and not all patients meet the classical diagnostic criteria.It was suggested that hypercholesterolaemia and significantly elevated GGT,TBA and ALT may be helpful to diagnose AGS.Genetic testing is integral in the diagnosis of AGS.

Clinical Features and Genetic Analysis of Pediatric Patients with Alagille Syndrome Presenting Initially with Liver Function Abnormalities / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Alagille syndrome (AGS) is a multisystem disorder and caused by mutations in JAG1 or NOTCH2 gene.The diagnosis of AGS is hampered by its highly variable clinical manifestations.We performed a retrospective analysis on 16 children diagnosed as having AGS in recent five years in our hospital.Cholestasis was seen in 15 patients (93.8％),heart disease in 12 (75％),characteristic facies in 7 (43.8％),and butterfly vertebrae in 7 (43.8％).Ophthalmology examination was not performed on all the patients.Further,serum biochemical parameters were compared between AGS and 16 biliary atresia (BA) patients who were confirmed by surgery.Elevated liver enzymes were seen in all the patients.Serum total cholesterol (TC) (P=0.0007),alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P=0.0056),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P=0.0114),gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (P=0.035) and total bile acid (TBA) levels (P=0.042) were significantly elevated in AGS patients compared to those in BA cases.However,there were no significant differences in serum total bilirubin (TB),conjugated bilirubin (CB) and albumin (ALB) between the two groups.We identified 14 different JAG1 gene variations and 1 NOTCH2 gene mutation in 16 Chinese AGS patients.Our study suggested clinical features of AGS are highly variable and not all patients meet the classical diagnostic criteria.It was suggested that hypercholesterolaemia and significantly elevated GGT,TBA and ALT may be helpful to diagnose AGS.Genetic testing is integral in the diagnosis of AGS.

A case of Alagille syndrome presenting with chronic cholestasis in an adult

Alagille syndrome (AGS) is a complex multisystem disorder that involves mainly the liver, heart, eyes, face, and skeleton. The main associated clinical features are chronic cholestasis due to a paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts, congenital heart disease primarily affecting pulmonary arteries, vertebral abnormalities, ocular embryotoxon, and peculiar facies. The manifestations generally become evident at a pediatric age. AGS is caused by defects in the Notch signaling pathway due to mutations in JAG1 or NOTCH2. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern with a high degree of penetrance, but variable expressivity results in a wide range of clinical features. Here we report on a 31-year-old male patient who presented with elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and was diagnosed with AGS associated with the JAG1 mutation after a comprehensive workup.

Alagille Syndrome Mimicking Biliary Atresia Confirmed by Jagged1 (JAG1) Gene Analysis in a Newborn: A Case Report

Alagille syndrome is a complex autosomal dominant disorder secondary to defects in the Notch signaling pathway, primarily caused by mutations in the Jagged1 (JAG1) gene. The liver, heart, skeleton, face and eyes are the body parts most commonly involved. Alagille syndrome may mimic other causes of high gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)-linked cholestasis, most notably biliary atresia in the neonatal period. Infants with Alagille syndrome are occasionally misdiagnosed as cases with biliary atresia due to variations in clinical features that might be expressed in early infancy. We describe a case of Alagille syndrome mimicking biliary atresia, identified by sequencing analysis of the JAG1 gene in a newborn. During counseling, family members of the patient have also been found to demonstrate various phenotypes and levels of disease severity of Alagille syndrome.

Cholestasis beyond the Neonatal and Infancy Periods / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Cholestasis results from impairment in the excretion of bile, which may be due to mechanical obstruction of bile flow or impairment of excretion of bile components into the bile canaliculus. When present, cholestasis warrants prompt diagnosis and treatment. The differential diagnosis of cholestasis beyond the neonatal period is broad and includes congenital and acquired etiologies. It is imperative that the clinician differentiates between intrahepatic and extrahepatic origin of cholestasis. Treatment may be supportive or curative and depends on the etiology. Recent literature shows that optimal nutritional and medical support also plays an integral role in the management of pediatric patients with chronic cholestasis. This review will provide a broad overview of the pathophysiology, diagnostic approach, and management of cholestasis beyond the neonatal and infancy periods.

Tumor hepático con vías biliares normales en un paciente con síndrome de Alagille: a propósito de un caso / Liver mass containing normal bile ducts in an Alagille patient: a case report

En este artículo se informa el caso de un paciente con síndrome de Alagille, que desarrolló una lesión de crecimiento rápido en el lóbulo caudado del hígado cirrótico. Se realizó el seguimiento riguroso del tumor aunque, desde el punto de vista radiológico, no parecía ser maligno. En el estudio por resonancia magnética (RM), no se observó ningún criterio diagnóstico de carcinoma hepatocelular; no obstante, se realizó una biopsia de la lesión y del hígado debido al rápido crecimiento del tumor. Los resultados del informe anatomopatológico indicaron desarrollo normal de los conductos biliares en el tumor y escasez de conductos biliares en la segunda muestra del hígado. Describiremos este caso y propondremos una interpretación de estos resultados.

This manuscript reports a case of a patient with Alagille syndrome who developed a rapidly growing lesion in the caudate segment of his cirrhotic liver. This mass was closely monitored but did not seem malignant from a radiological point of view. An MRI showed no criteria in favour of a hepatocarcinoma, however, the rapid growth lead to a biopsy of both the lesion and the cirrhotic liver. The pathology results indicated normal development of the bile ducts in the mass and paucity of the biliary ducts in the second liver specimen. We will describe this case and propose an interpretation of these findings.

Estenosis aórtica severa en paciente con síndrome de Alagille / Severe aortic stenosis in a patient with Alagille syndrome

Una mujer de 21 años portadora de Síndrome de Alagille debutó con disnea progresiva, palpitaciones y dolor torácico. Se excluyó la presencia de síndrome coronario agudo y de tromboembolismo pulmonar. Un test de marcha fue severamente limitado por disnea. La ecocardiografía doppler color mostró una válvula aórtica bicúspide severamente estenótica. Se efectuó un reemplazo valvular aórtico con prótesis mecánica con buena evolución.

A 21 year old woman with Alagille syndrome, pre-sented with progressive dyspnea, palpitations and chest pain. Acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism were ruled out. A walk test revealed significant dyspnea at a low level of exertion. Color Doppler echocardiography showed a severely stenotic bicuspid aortic valve with severe stenosis. An aortic valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis was performed uneventfully.

Clinical features and JAGI gene analysis of 2 cases with Alagille syndrome / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To carry out the detection of JAGI gene in children with chronic cholestasis and to im-prove the diagnostic level and understanding of Alagille syndrome. Methods Two cases of chronic cholestasis with multiple organ involvement were selected as the research subjects and their clinical data,laboratory test results were col-lected. Two milliliter peripheral intravenous heparin anticoagulan blood was drawn from each patient. All fragments of 26 exons of the JAGI gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction - sequence based on typing method. Results One patient with chronic cholestasis,heart murmur and dysmorphic face showed bile duct paucity in liver biopsy and a novel heterozygous mutation c. 809 809delG(p. G270Dfs*142)in 6 exon. Abnormal amino acid replaced JAG1 protein and resulted in truncation of the JAG1 protein. The part of epidermal growth factor(EGF)like repeats region loss and the cysteine rich region completely lost. One case with typical chronic cholestasis and dysmorphic face showed a known IVS20 - 2 5delTAAG heterozygous mutation which resulted in splice site changes. Conclusion A novel JAGI gene mutation c. 809 809delG(p. G270Dfs*142)is helpful to screen JAGI gene of Notch signal transduction pathway for chronic cholestasis with multiple organs involvement in children.

Outcome of Alagille Syndrome Patients Who Had Previously Received Kasai Operation during Infancy: A Single Center Study / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Infants with Alagille syndrome (AGS) are occasionally misdiagnosed as biliary atresia and subsequently undergo Kasai operation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of patients with AGS who had previously received Kasai operation during infancy. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center. We compared the prognosis and mortality between those who had undergone Kasai operation during infancy (Kasai group) and those who had not (non-Kasai group). RESULTS: Among the 15 children with AGS, five had received Kasai operation, while 10 had not. All subjects in the Kasai group revealed neonatal cholestasis, while 70% of the non-Kasai group showed neonatal cholestasis. Liver transplantation was performed in 100% (5/5) among the Kasai group, and 20.0% (2/10) among the non-Kasai group (p=0.007). Mortality was observed in 60.0% (3/5) among the Kasai group, and 10.0% (1/10) among the non-Kasai group (p=0.077). CONCLUSION: Although overall mortality rate did not significantly differ between the two groups, the proportion of patients receiving liver transplantation was significantly higher in the non-Kasai group. The relatively worse outcome in AGS patients who had received Kasai operation may be due to the unfavorable influences of Kasai operation on the clinical course of AGS, or maybe due to neonatal cholestasis, irrespective of the Kasai operation.