Which result is most consistent with obstructive jaundice?

Which result is most consistent with obstructive jaundice?

• A. Obstructive jaundice
• B. Acute hepatitis
• C. Cirrhosis
• D. Chronic hepatitis

Answer: (A)

Obstructive jaundice produces a cholestatic pattern because bile flow is blocked, causing conjugated bilirubin to back up into the blood. The bilirubin that appears in the circulation is predominantly direct (conjugated), and the liver enzymes that reflect bile flow obstruction—alkaline phosphatase and GGT—rise more than the transaminases. Clinically this pattern shows dark urine (from filtered conjugated bilirubin) and pale stools (due to lack of stercobilin). In contrast, hepatocellular conditions like acute hepatitis produce jaundice from hepatocyte injury with a mixed or predominantly unconjugated bilirubin component and much higher transaminases, while the cholestatic markers (ALP, GGT) are less dominant. Chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis often have fluctuating bilirubin with impaired synthetic function, and the classic pronounced cholestatic signature is not the defining feature.

Obstructive jaundice produces a cholestatic pattern because bile flow is blocked, causing conjugated bilirubin to back up into the blood. The bilirubin that appears in the circulation is predominantly direct (conjugated), and the liver enzymes that reflect bile flow obstruction—alkaline phosphatase and GGT—rise more than the transaminases. Clinically this pattern shows dark urine (from filtered conjugated bilirubin) and pale stools (due to lack of stercobilin).

In contrast, hepatocellular conditions like acute hepatitis produce jaundice from hepatocyte injury with a mixed or predominantly unconjugated bilirubin component and much higher transaminases, while the cholestatic markers (ALP, GGT) are less dominant. Chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis often have fluctuating bilirubin with impaired synthetic function, and the classic pronounced cholestatic signature is not the defining feature.