Study of patients with obstructive jaundice in Sohag university hospital

Hamdi, Alshaimaa Ibrahim; Arafa, Osama; Mohammed, Hamdy Saad; Malak, Mohamed Mostafa

doi:10.21608/smj.2025.412144.1604

Study of patients with obstructive jaundice in Sohag university hospital

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Sohag internal medicine department faculty of medicine Sohag university hospital, Sohag, Egypt

² internal medicine department at sohag faculty of medicine

³ internal medicine department, Sohag university hospital, faculty of medicine

⁴ Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt

10.21608/smj.2025.412144.1604

Abstract

Background: Obstructive jaundice is a clinical condition characterized by the blockage of bile flow, often due to both benign and malignant causes. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are critical to improving patient outcomes.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic interventions for patients diagnosed with obstructive jaundice at Sohag University Hospital.

Methods: This observational study included 150 patients diagnosed with obstructive jaundice and referred to the Department of Internal Medicine. Clinical data, including demographic information, presenting symptoms, laboratory tests, and imaging results, were collected. Liver function tests, abdominal ultrasound, MRCP, and ERCP were used for diagnosis, while therapeutic interventions such as ERCP with stent placement and stone removal were performed when indicated.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 55.36 ± 14.4 years, with a majority of females (64%). The most common symptoms included jaundice (100%), dark urine (100%), and pale stool (98%). Liver function tests revealed elevated bilirubin levels, while imaging studies showed dilated intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. Malignant lesions were found in 34% of patients, with distal cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic cancer being the most common diagnoses. ERCP procedures were performed in 82% of patients, with successful biliary decompression and stone removal in many cases.

Conclusion: Obstructive jaundice is frequently associated with malignant lesions, particularly cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic cancer. Early diagnosis and appropriate interventions, such as ERCP, play a crucial role in managing this condition and improving patient outcomes.

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