| Theme |
Abdominal Pain in Children : Current Clinical Management |
| Title |
Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disorders Causing Abdominal Pain in Children |
| Author |
Daiki Abukawa |
Department of General Pediatrics, Miyagi Children's Hospital |
| Author |
Masaki Nio |
Department of Surgery, Miyagi Children's Hospital |
| Author |
Yoshihisa Shimanuki |
Department of Radiology, Miyagi Children's Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
In this paper we describe hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders which cause abdominal pain in children. Although it is known that infants with congenital choledochal cysts have jaundice, abdominal masses and pain, about one third of the patients have all these symptoms. Biliary tract cancer often develops in young patients with congenital choledochal cysts. An aggressive approach is not warranted in asymptomatic children with cholelithiasis. Acute cholecystitis is seen in children with systemic disorders like infections or Kawasaki's disease, in addition to cholelithiasis. Acute pancreatitis in children is commonly associated with other disease processes ; viral infection, pancreaticobiliary maljunction, trauma or drugs. Drugs often cause severe pancreatitis. |