Objective:To elucidate the current proficiency level in diagnosing pediatric biliary atresia among Chinese sonographers and to identify contributing factors that may influence their diagnostic capabilities.Methods:A cross-sectional internet-based survey was conducted from November 6, 2021, to December 12, 2021. The online questionnaire was disseminated to a national cohort of sonographers via WeChat groups. The survey encompassed three domains: demographic data of the participants, clinical and ultrasonographic knowledge pertaining to biliary atresia, and the cognitive understanding of biliary atresia. Descriptive statistics were utilized for the evaluation of demographic information and sonographers' clinical and ultrasonographic comprehension concerning biliary atresia. A generalized linear model was employed to ascertain the determinants influencing sonographers' expertise in clinical management and ultrasonographic diagnosis of biliary atresia.Results:A total of 511 valid responses were collated. Approximately 64.77% (331/511) of sonographers indicated a lack of comprehensive understanding of the essential parameters for ultrasonographic diagnosis of biliary atresia. Regression analysis revealed that sonographers affiliated with lower-tier hospitals ( β=-0.344, P=0.002), non-pediatric institutions ( β=-0.747, P=0.004), and those with less than 15 years of professional experience ( β=0.952, P<0.001) exhibited diminished proficiency in diagnosing biliary atresia. Upon encountering suspected cases, a mere 5.48% (28/511) of sonographers expressed complete confidence in their diagnostic capabilities. Lower professional grade ( β=-0.572, P<0.001) and lack of prior experience with suspected cases of biliary atresia ( β=-0.693, P<0.001) contributed to reduced diagnostic self-assurance among sonographers. Regarding the clinical and ultrasonographic intricacies associated with biliary atresia, only 3.33% (17/511) of sonographers had a full understanding of the diagnostic significance of hepatic fibrous plaques on ultrasound for biliary atresia. Conclusion:The study underscores a pervasive inadequacy in the understanding and diagnostic confidence among sonographers in relation to pediatric biliary atresia. Various pragmatic factors, including hospital tier, years of experience, and professional ranking, exert a direct impact on the sonographers' diagnostic acumen. Given these findings, there is an exigent need for targeted educational initiatives to enhance the diagnostic proficiency in biliary atresia among sonographers.

Objective To observe the characteristics of infant biliary atresia(BA)missed diagnosis by ultrasound.Methods Data of 72 BA infants missed by ultrasound(false-negative,group A),72 BA infants accurately diagnosed by ultrasound(true-positive,group B)and 72 non BA infants(controls,group C)were retrospectively analyzed.Clinical and ultrasonic features were compared between each 2 groups.Logistic regression analysis was performed to screen the impact factors for diagnosing and missed-diagnosing of BA.Results There were significant differences of total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,gamma glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT)between group A and C,also of total bilirubin,direct bilirubin and GGT between group B and C(all P＜0.05).Significant differences of the incidences of small gallbladder,gallbladder wall rigidity,poor gallbladder contraction function and fibrous plaques in the hepatic hilum were found between group A and B,of undetected or cystic changes in the gallbladder,gallbladder wall rigidity,poor gallbladder contraction function,fibrous plaques in the hepatic hilum and hepatic hilum cysts were noticed between group A and C(all P＜0.05),as well as of undetected or cystic changes in the gallbladder,small gallbladder,gallbladder wall rigidity,gallbladder wall thickening,poor gallbladder contraction function and fibrous plaques in the hepatic hilum were detected between group B and C(all P＜0.05).There were significant differences of display rate of common bile duct between each 2 groups(all P＜0.05).The lower incidence of fibrous plaques in the hepatic hilum and poor gallbladder contraction function were an impact factors for missed diagnosis of BA(both P＜0.05),while higher GGT,higher incidence of fibrous plaques in the hepatic hilum and poor gallbladder contraction function were all impact factors for diagnosis of BA in group A(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Infant BA missed diagnosis by ultrasound had lower incidence of fibrous plaques in the hepatic hilum and poor gallbladder contractile function.Combining with clinical data was helpful for reducing ultrasonic missed diagnosis of BA in infants.