Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

<p>Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technique that combines the use of <a href="/facts/Endoscopy/L4V1fGPN">endoscopy</a> and <a href="/facts/Fluoroscopy/ySerh62e">fluoroscopy</a> to diagnose and treat certain problems of the <a href="/facts/Bile_duct/hBFPcYkS">biliary</a> or <a href="/facts/Pancreatic_duct/tLKRDmSE">pancreatic ductal</a> systems. It is primarily performed by highly skilled and specialty trained gastroenterologists. Through the endoscope, the physician can see the inside of the <a href="/facts/Stomach/Q4PPDGT6">stomach</a> and <a href="/facts/Duodenum/IAIgHBmq">duodenum</a>, and inject a <a href="/facts/Contrast_medium/uVoPWL7Q">contrast medium</a> into the ducts in the biliary tree and/or <a href="/facts/Pancreas/r0WPGjAq">pancreas</a> so they can be seen on <a href="/facts/Radiography/ab1bvq3q">radiographs</a>.
</p><p>ERCP is used primarily to diagnose and treat conditions of the bile ducts and main pancreatic duct, including <a href="/facts/Gallstone/9bIB9MYT">gallstones</a>, inflammatory strictures (scars), leaks (from trauma and surgery), and cancer.
ERCP can be performed for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons, although the development of safer and relatively non-invasive investigations such as <a href="/facts/Magnetic_resonance_cholangiopancreatography/kFzSD3jh">magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography</a> (MRCP) and <a href="/facts/Endoscopic_ultrasound/4kJgYu8a">endoscopic ultrasound</a> has meant that ERCP is now rarely performed without therapeutic intent.
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Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography open-in-new

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography