Obstructive Jaundice

Causes of Obstructive Jaundice

As mentioned above, there are both benign and malignant causes of obstructive jaundice.

• Benign causes: Gallstones or cysts in the bile ducts (choledochal cyst), narrowing of the bile ducts (bile duct strictures), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
• Malignant causes: Cancerous tumours in the pancreas, bile duct, gallbladder and liver.

Malignancy can result in complete blockage of bile drainage with significant itching due to accumulation of bilirubin and malnutrition as bile is part of the digestive system.