Prospective Study on the Etiological Spectrum and Diagnostic Evaluation of Obstructive Jaundice in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Obstructive jaundice results from impaired bile flow due to benign or malignant conditions.Prompt differentiation of the underlying etiology is essential to plan definitive treatment and reduce associated morbidity and mortality.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery at Pt. J.N.M. Medical College & Dr. B.R.A.M. Hospital, Raipur.A total of 50 patients diagnosed clinically and radiologically with obstructive jaundice were enrolled over a period of one year.Clinical history, physical examination, liver function tests, ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced CT, and MRCP were performed.Surgical findings and histopathological reports were used to confirm diagnosis wherever applicable.Results: The most common presenting complaint was yellowish discoloration of the sclera (100%), followed by dark-colored urine (90%) and pruritus (70%).The age group most affected was 51-70 years, and males slightly outnumbered females (56% vs 44%).Malignancy was the most common cause of obstruction (60%), with periampullary carcinoma (40%) being the predominant malignant etiology, followed by carcinoma head of the pancreas (30%).Benign causes accounted for 40%, predominantly choledocholithiasis (70% of benign).Ultrasonography revealed CBD dilatation in 80% and detected stones in 30% of patients.Histopathological examination confirmed clinical diagnosis in 90% of surgical cases.Conclusion: Malignant causes of obstructive jaundice are more frequent in older adults and often present at an advanced stage.Clinical evaluation supported by imaging can help identify the underlying cause, but histopathology remains the gold standard.Early diagnosis is vital for appropriate therapeutic intervention.