CASE 02 • General examination • FREE SAMPLE
Yellow Eyes at the Bedside
What is the most likely spot diagnosis?
Study the morphology and distribution in the photograph before revealing the answer.
Scleral icterus (jaundice)
Why this fits:
Yellow discoloration of the sclera is best appreciated in natural light and usually reflects clinically significant hyperbilirubinaemia.
Yellow discoloration of the sclera is best appreciated in natural light and usually reflects clinically significant hyperbilirubinaemia.
Important differential:
Differentiate hepatocellular, cholestatic and haemolytic patterns using history, LFTs and imaging as appropriate.
Differentiate hepatocellular, cholestatic and haemolytic patterns using history, LFTs and imaging as appropriate.
Important key point:
Scleral icterus often appears before obvious cutaneous jaundice.
Scleral icterus often appears before obvious cutaneous jaundice.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons file page — review the file page for author, original source and licence.