Evaluation of LFT and serum iron in obstructive jaundice due to choledocholithiasis and carcinoma head of pancreas.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice is caused due to obstruction to the biliary flow via the biliary system. The most common benign condition causing this obstruction is Choledocholithiasis and the most common malignant cause is Carcinoma head of pancreas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 cases of Choledocholithiasis and 40 cases of Carcinoma head of pancreas were included in this study. Liver function tests and serum iron and its related parameters were estimated in both the groups and were statistically compared. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in Total bilirubin, Direct bilirubin, Alkaline phosphatase and 5’Nucleotidase was seen among Group 2 cases when compared to Group 1 cases. Serum iron levels showed a statistically significant decrease among Group 2 cases when compared to Group 1 cases. DISCUSSION: Early evaluation of obstructive jaundice to establish the etiology is crucial to avoid secondary pathological changes. Liver function tests provide a simple and non-invasive means of diagnosis. In this study it is observed that the magnitude of alteration of LFT is higher in Carcinoma head of pancreas when compared to Choledocholithiasis thus differentiating the two. Serum iron levels are elevated in hepatocellular injury and as there is hepatocellular injury in obstructive jaundice, serum iron levels were estimated in both the groups of patients. However serum iron levels were within the normal range but the mean value was lower in the group 2 compared to group 1 which demands further study in this field.