EP06.50: Prenatal non‐visualisation of the fetal gallbladder: prognosis and outcome

Prenatal non-visualisation of the fetal gallbladder (PNVGB) may be either isolated or in association with other anomalies, the most common being cystic fibrosis, which may be associated up to 10% of cases. Associations with chromosomal abnormalities and biliary tract disorders, such as biliary atresia, have also been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the follow-up of cases diagnosed prenatally with PNVGB in the last 10 years at the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Salamanca. This is a retrospective study based on a review of the clinical records of newborns prenatally diagnosed with PNVGB in the last 10 years at the Hospital Clínico de Salamanca. To know the evolution of the newborns, families were contacted by telephone and the clinical records of the children were reviewed. 8 cases of absence of gallbladder visualisation have been diagnosed in our centre. The diagnosis was made in the second trimester anomaly scan in 7 of them, while in the other one it was achieved in the third trimester of pregnancy. In 7 of the 8 cases the gallbladder could not be visualised during the entire pregnancy, while in one case it appeared in the third trimester. In all cases amniocentesis was performed: 2 cases of cystic fibrosis were detected (25%, slightly higher than described in other series), the other 6 results being normal. One of the pregnancies affected by cystic fibrosis was terminated by voluntary termination of pregnancy, while the other went ahead. The diagnosis of gallbladder agenesis was confirmed in 6 of the 7 pregnancies that went to term. The baby affected by cystic fibrosis was also found to have a microcolon, which required postnatal surgical intervention. The other 6 babies grew up healthy, without complications. PNVGB is a rare finding. Amniocentesis should be offered to rule out cystic fibrosis, since the risk of association can reach 25%, as in our series. In cases in which PNVGB is not associated with CF and is reported as an isolated finding, the prognosis is good.