Use of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids to Treat Inspissated Bile Syndrome: A Case Report

• Published in: Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 286 - 290
• Main Authors: Jun, Woo Young, Cho, Min Jeng, Han, Hye Seung, Bae, Sun Hwan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition 01.12.2016; 대한소아소화기영양학회
• Subjects: Case Report; 소아과학; Inspissated bile syndrome; Cholestasis; Omega-3 fatty acids
• ISSN: 2234-8646; 2234-8840
• DOI: 10.5223/pghn.2016.19.4.286

Inspissated bile syndrome (IBS) is a rare condition in which thick intraluminal bile, including bile plugs, sludge, or stones, blocks the extrahepatic bile ducts in an infant. A 5-week-old female infant was admitted for evaluation of jaundice and acholic stool. Diagnostic tests, including ultrasound sonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and a hepatobiliary scan, were not conclusive. Although the diagnosis was unclear, the clinical and laboratory findings improved gradually on administration of urodeoxycholic acid and lipid emulsion containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for 3 weeks. However, a liver biopsy was suggestive of biliary atresia. This finding forced us to perform intraoperative cholangiography, which revealed a patent common bile duct with impacted thick bile. We performed normal saline irrigation and the symptom was improved, the final diagnosis was IBS. Thus, we herein report that IBS can be treated with omega-3 PUFAs as an alternative to surgical intervention.