How long can you live with obstructive jaundice?

Death from obstructive jaundice in the first few weeks of its course is quite rare and is only occasionally observed. After a period varying from four to six months, however, patients suffering from occlusion of the common bile duct usually deteriorate rapidly and die.

What is the most common cause of obstructive jaundice?

Stone disease is the most common cause of obstructive jaundice. Gallstones may pass through the CBD and cause obstruction and symptoms of biliary colic and cholangitis. Larger stones can become lodged in the CBD and cause complete obstruction, with increased intraductal pressure throughout the biliary tree.

What is the color of urine in obstructive jaundice?

In obstructive jaundice (both intrahepatic cholestasis and extrahepatic obstruction) the serum bilirubin is principally conjugated. Conjugated bilirubin is water soluble and is excreted in the urine, giving it a dark colour (bilirubinuria).

What are the symptoms of bile duct problems?

However, tests commonly performed to diagnose many bile duct disorders may include:

• Blood tests.
• Liver function tests.
• Ultrasound.
• Endoscopic ultrasound.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Liver biopsy.

Is obstructive jaundice serious?

Untreated, obstructive jaundice can lead to serious infection that spreads to other parts of the body. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for serious symptoms such as high fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit), severe abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, and nausea with or without vomiting.

What are the complications of obstructive jaundice?

Patients with obstructive jaundice are inclined to develop nutritional deficits, infectious complications, acute renal failure, and impairment of cardiovascular function. Adverse events such as coagulopathy, hypovolemia, and endotoxemia can be insidious and significantly increase mortality and morbidity.

What is the treatment for obstructive jaundice?

Treatment options for obstructive jaundice Antibiotic therapy (if indicated for infection) Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), an imaging procedure that allows treatment of some bile duct problems, including removal of gallstones that are causing obstruction. Intravenous fluids and pain medications.

What happens in obstructive jaundice?

The yellow coloring comes from bilirubin, a byproduct of old red blood cells. Obstructive jaundice is a specific type of jaundice, where symptoms develop due to a narrowed or blocked bile duct or pancreatic duct, preventing the normal drainage of bile from the bloodstream into the intestines.

What is the treatment of obstructive jaundice?

Is obstructive jaundice conjugated or unconjugated?

Obstructive jaundice has hallmark findings on the biochemistry profile. It is primarily a conjugated hyperbilirubinemia with the direct bilirubin > 50\% of the total bilirubin. There is also an associated elevation of alkaline phosphatase.

How is biliary obstruction diagnosed?

The following tests may be used to investigate a possible blocked bile duct:

1. Abdominal ultrasound.
2. Abdominal CT scan.
3. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
4. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA)
5. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
6. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)

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