Sappitietukos

Sappitietukos, also known as biliary tract obstruction, is a medical condition characterized by partial or complete blockage of the bile ducts that transport bile from the liver to the small intestine. The obstruction can occur in intrahepatic ducts or in the extrahepatic ducts, such as the cystic duct or the common bile duct. Blockage leads to cholestasis and can cause jaundice, digestive disturbances, and liver dysfunction.

Causes of sappitietukos include gallstones that lodge in the bile ducts, benign or malignant strictures, tumors such as pancreatic head cancer or cholangiocarcinoma, inflammation such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, infections or parasites, and postoperative scar tissue. In children, biliary atresia is a congenital cause. The resulting impairment of bile flow disrupts digestion and can promote infection.

Common symptoms are jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, itching, and right upper-quadrant abdominal pain. Fever and chills may occur if cholangitis develops. Diagnosis relies on a combination of blood tests showing elevated bilirubin and liver enzymes, and imaging studies. Ultrasound is often the first test; magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) noninvasively visualizes the biliary tree, while endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) serves diagnostic and therapeutic roles. CT imaging and other studies may be used in certain cases.

Treatment focuses on relieving the obstruction and treating the underlying cause. ERCP with sphincterotomy or stone extraction and biliary stenting is common for extrahepatic obstruction. Antibiotics are used for cholangitis. When ERCP is not possible or the obstruction is due to a tumor or stricture, surgical or radiologic drainage and resection may be required. Early relief of obstruction improves prognosis and reduces the risk of complications.