Jaundice is symptom of liver disease, which manifest as yellowish discoloration of urine and eyes. Diagnosis is confirmed by performing liver function test (blood test).
Causes of jaundice are:
Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia
- Hemolysis
- Gilbert syndrome
Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia – Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia is due to the liver diseases which can either be liver inflammation or obstruction in biliary system of the liver
Liver inflammation
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis E
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Wilson Disease (Excessive copper in liver)
- Hemochromatosis (Excessive iron in liver)
- Autoimmune hepatitis
Obstruction in biliary system of liver
- Stone in common bile duct
- Tumor of gall bladder, pancreas, and CBD causing CBD obstruction
- Worm in CBD
- Enlarged lymph nodes compressing CBD
Workup
Following tests are done to know the cause of jaundice:
- LFT
- Viral markers
- USG Abdomen
- CECT Abdomen and MRCP
Treatment
- Treatment of jaundice depends upon the cause of jaundice and includes
- Antiviral medication
- Stopping alcohol
- Steroids for autoimmune hepatitis
- Copper and iron chelation for wilson disease and hemochromatosis respectively
- ERCP to remove the CBD stone or stent placement to bypass biliary obstruction due to tumor