Biliary obstruction
Biliary obstruction (pronunciation: /ˈbɪliˌɛri əbˈstrʌkʃən/), also known as a bile duct obstruction, is a blockage in the tubes (ducts) that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine.
Etymology
The term "biliary" is derived from the Latin word "bilis," which means bile, and "obstruction" comes from the Latin word "obstructio," meaning a blockage or barrier.
Causes
Biliary obstruction can be caused by several conditions, including gallstones, inflammation of the bile ducts, cysts, tumors, or infections. In some cases, the cause of the obstruction may not be known.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of biliary obstruction include jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, light-colored stools, itching, abdominal pain, fever, and nausea or vomiting.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of biliary obstruction typically involves a physical examination, blood tests, imaging tests such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, and possibly a procedure called an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Treatment
Treatment for biliary obstruction depends on the cause of the obstruction. It may involve medication, endoscopic procedures, or surgery. In some cases, a stent may be placed in the bile duct to keep it open.
Related Terms
- Cholestasis: A condition in which bile cannot flow from the liver to the duodenum.
- Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder.
- Cholangitis: Inflammation of the bile ducts.
- Cholecystectomy: Surgical removal of the gallbladder.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Biliary obstruction
- Wikipedia's article - Biliary obstruction
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski