Biliary tract abnormalities associated with duodenal atresia

Abstract

The embryology of the duodenum and biliary tracts makes understandable those developmental abnormalities of the biliary tract that occur in association with duodenal atresia. In a series of 167 patients with intrinsic duodenal obstruction, a number also showed anomalies of the distal common bile duct, and these form the subject of this communication. The clinical importance of stenosis of the distal common bile duct seen in duodenal atresia and stenosis is stressed; operative intervention in the region may result in complete biliary obstruction. 3 patients in the series had agenesis of the gallbladder in association with duodenal atresia, an association not previously recognized.