What is the difference between intraductal and extraductal causes of obstructive jaundice
Intraductal causes of obstructive jaundice refer to conditions that directly affect the bile ducts within the liver or the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine. These intraductal causes can include conditions such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, narrowings or strictures within the bile ducts, gallstones blocking the bile ducts, or tumors obstructing the ducts.
Extraductal causes of obstructive jaundice, on the other hand, involve conditions beyond the bile ducts themselves. These causes can include conditions affecting the pancreas, such as pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis. In some cases, tumors or masses in neighboring organs, such as the gallbladder or duodenum, can also lead to compression or obstruction of the bile ducts, resulting in obstructive jaundice.
In summary, intraductal causes of obstructive jaundice mainly involve conditions that affect the bile ducts directly, while extraductal causes involve conditions affecting structures surrounding the bile ducts.