ECRP
ERCP: A Comprehensive Guide to Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
Description
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a minimally invasive medical procedure that combines endoscopy and fluoroscopy to visualize and treat the biliary and pancreatic ducts. During the procedure, a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) is inserted into the mouth and passed through the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum to reach the papilla of Vater, where the biliary and pancreatic ducts connect to the small intestine. Once in place, the endoscope is used to inject a contrast dye into the ducts, which makes them visible on fluoroscopic images.
ERCP allows doctors to diagnose and treat various conditions by providing direct access to the biliary and pancreatic ducts. Some of the most common diagnostic indications for ERCP include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Abdominal pain
- Cholangitis (infection of the bile ducts)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Therapeutic indications for ERCP include:
- Removing gallstones from the bile ducts
- Treating bile duct strictures (narrowing)
- Placing stents in blocked bile ducts or pancreatic ducts
- Removing pancreatic stones
- Dilating pancreatic ducts
Associated Diseases
ERCP is commonly used to diagnose and treat diseases associated with the biliary and pancreatic systems. Some of the most common associated diseases include:
- Choledocholithiasis (gallstones in the bile ducts)
- Cholangitis (infection of the bile ducts)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Pancreatic cancer
- Biliary atresia (a birth defect in which the bile ducts are absent or narrowed)
- Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (a condition in which the muscle that controls the flow of bile and pancreatic juice into the small intestine does not function properly)
Did you Know ?
- The global prevalence of choledocholithiasis (gallstones in the bile ducts) is estimated to be around 15%, making it one of the most common indications for ERCP.
