Hepatorenal syndrome associated with obstructive jaundice

In almost all cases of acute renal failure associated with cholestatic jaundice, the occurrence of renal failure is preceded by episodes of shock, hypotension, sepsis, or surgical intervention. The pathologic finding is usually that of acute tubular necrosis. A patient with obstructive jaundice developed renal failure; the clinical and pathologic features were consistent with those found in the hepatorenal syndrome. No episodes of shock or sepsis preceded the onset of that renal failure. At autopsy, the findings were normal.