Blocked bile flow may cause jaundice, itching, dark urine and infection risk.
When to seek emergency care
If any of the following signs occur, call *3003 immediately — do not wait for a routine appointment:
- Jaundice with high fever
- Chills and abdominal pain
- Confusion
- Low blood pressure
What is it?
Bile retention can worsen liver test results and cause severe itching and infection. In some cases, biliary drainage or stenting improves quality of life and expands treatment options.
Symptoms
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Dark urine
- Pale stool
- Itching
- Pain under the right ribs
- Loss of appetite
Causes & risk factors
- Gallstones
- Bile duct stricture
- Pancreatic or bile duct tumors
- Post-surgical narrowing
- Inflammatory processes
Diagnosis
Diagnosis should not rely on one test alone. Symptoms, risk factors, physical examination and investigation results are interpreted together.
- Blood tests
- Abdominal ultrasound
- CT or MRI/MRCP
- ERCP assessment
- Percutaneous cholangiography in selected cases
Treatment approaches
Treatment is individualized according to disease severity, the patient’s overall condition, comorbidities and procedural risk.
- Treatment of the cause
- Antibiotics when needed
- ERCP with stone removal or stenting
- Percutaneous biliary drainage
- Oncology or surgical planning
How we help
The center evaluates obstructive jaundice using imaging and laboratory results. If bile flow must be restored urgently, interventional drainage or stenting is discussed.
When a procedure may be needed
Drainage or stenting may be needed when bile flow must be restored because of infection or severe jaundice, or before surgery or oncologic treatment.
Patient checklist
- Note when jaundice began
- Bring ultrasound/CT/MRI results
- Do not delay if fever occurs
- Report blood-thinning medication
FAQ
Does jaundice always mean hepatitis?
No. Blockage of the bile ducts can also cause jaundice, and the treatment approach is different.
Does a biliary drain remain permanently?
It depends on the cause. It may be used temporarily in some cases and for a longer period in others.
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