Abdominal pain, jaundice warning of biliary obstruction

Biliary obstruction, also known as biliary obstruction, is a blockage in the bile duct system in the body that causes bile and substances such as bilirubin to accumulate, then seep into the blood, causing jaundice of the skin and mucous membranes.

Causes of biliary obstruction

Biliary obstruction is often caused by major causes such as:

• Biliary stones are the cause of up to 90% of cases.
• Due to tumors: Pancreatic head tumor, Vater ampulla tumor, distal common bile duct tumor, duodenal tumor.
• Gallbladder surgery or abdominal trauma can cause the bile duct to narrow and become blocked.
• Biliary tract cancer.
• Liver fluke eggs or worms migrate down the bile duct.

Symptoms of biliary obstruction

When bile ducts are blocked, bile will overflow into the blood, so the patient will have the following typical symptoms:

• Abdominal pain appears.
• The pain usually appears in the liver area, the severity will depend on the causes of biliary obstruction. Specifically: Severe pain if the cause is acute biliary obstruction due to gallstones moving or stuck in the lower part of the OMC. Pain occurs in bouts and then spreads to the shoulder or back (hepatic colic) in worms in the bile duct...
• Dull abdominal pain or feeling of tension in the right hypochondrium, above the navel as in biliary tract cancer, ampulla of Vater tumor.
• Symptoms of jaundice: Jaundice is a very obvious symptom of the disease that patients often encounter. Jaundice can last from 1 to 2 weeks and then disappear. Then it recurs again in the patient.
• High fever.

Biliary obstruction is a blockage in the bile duct system in the body.

The sequence of jaundice, abdominal pain, and fever suggests the cause of biliary obstruction. Specifically:

• Biliary obstruction due to gallstones: The patient will experience pain in the liver area, followed by fever and chills. A few days later, jaundice and yellow eyes appear, called Charcot's triad.
• Biliary obstruction due to tumor: The patient's skin will gradually turn yellow, the pain will appear less and there will be no fever in the early stages.
• Dark urine: Often accompanied by jaundice. Urine is dark red like guava juice or dark yellow like tea.

In addition, the patient also has other symptoms including: Dark stools, feeling of fullness, indigestion, especially after eating foods containing a lot of fat. There may be fat in the stool. Prolonged fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness. Pain in the right hypochondrium...

Diagnosis and treatment of biliary obstruction

Diagnosis of acute biliary obstruction and the cause of acute biliary obstruction is based on ultrasound, CT scan and MRI of the liver and gallbladder with injection. There are currently many methods of treating biliary obstruction due to stones, depending on each different case and whether there are complications or not, the appropriate method is chosen. The purpose of treatment is to quickly treat stones causing biliary obstruction, avoid infection and treat if there are complications of infection.

Treatment by performing percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) with percutaneous biliary drainage is a method to solve the problem of acute biliary obstruction in this way, allowing drainage of stagnant bile in the liver, including bile purulence in accompanying cholangitis.

Treatment by percutaneous endoscopic laser lithotripsy in cases of multiple bile duct stones and common bile duct obstruction, placement of biliary stents in biliary tract tumors causing biliary obstruction, and if the cause of biliary obstruction is a malignant tumor, surgery can be performed to remove the cause of biliary obstruction.

Doctor's advice

To prevent the risk of biliary obstruction, it is necessary to maintain a reasonable diet, adequate nutrition and balance between nutrient groups. Limit eating greasy foods. Should deworm periodically at least once every 6 months. Limit the use of tobacco, alcohol, coffee... Have a reasonable time and rest regimen. Go to bed early, sleep on time. Exercise regularly.

In addition, it is necessary to completely treat diseases related to the liver or digestive tract to avoid complications that can cause biliary obstruction in the body. Visit and have regular health check-ups at least once a year to detect early abnormalities in the biliary tract.

MSc. Dr. Nguyen Van Binh

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/dau-bung-vang-da-canh-giac-voi-tac-mat-172241112160956397.htm