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    The content on this page is not current guidance and is only for the purposes of the consultation process.

    Indications and current treatment

    Biliary obstruction involves blockage of any duct that carries bile from the liver to the gallbladder or from the gallbladder to the small intestine. It may have benign or malignant causes, and can lead to symptoms including jaundice, nausea, and abdominal pain, as well as itching, pale stools and dark urine.

    Current standard management of biliary obstruction usually includes stenting using ERCP or PTBD. In the case of malignant obstruction, treatment may also include chemotherapy, biological therapies, photodynamic therapy and radiofrequency ablation.