ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography):
ERCP is a specialized technique used to study the ducts (drainage routes) of the liver (bile ducts), gallbladder, and pancreas (pancreatic duct). An endoscope (flexible thin tube) is passed through the mouth, esophagus and stomach into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). After the common opening to ducts from the liver and pancreas are visually identified, a catheter (narrow plastic tube) is passed through the endoscope into the ducts. Contrast material (“dye”) is then injected gently into the ducts (pancreatic or biliary) and X-rays are taken.
ERCP is a valuable tool for diagnosing many diseases of the pancreas, bile ducts, liver, and gallbladder. Structural abnormalities suspected by symptoms, physical examination, labaratory tests, or x-ray can be shown in detail and biopsies of abnormal tissue can be obtained if necessary. ERCP can make the important distinction between whether jaundice (yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin) is caused by diseases that are treated medically, such as hepatitis, or by structural diseases such as gallstones, tumors, or strictures (obstructing scar tissue) that are treated surgically or endoscopically. ERCP may also provide important diagnostic information. ERCP can be used to determine whether or not surgery is necessary and is helpful in providing the anatomic detail if surgery is necessary.
Several conditions of the biliary or pancreatic duct can be treated (cured or improved) by therapeutic ERCP techniques that can open the end of the bile duct, extract stones, and place stents (plastic or metal drainage tubes) across obstructed ducts to improve their drainage.
Press
FORMS to review preparation requirements for your ERCP. ERCP is only performed in a hospital setting such as Bronson Methodist Hospital and Borgess Hospital.
What can be expected during ERCP?After your physician has discussed why ERCP is necessary, he/she will also discuss any possible complications that may arise from ERCP. A local anesthetic may be applied to your throat and an intravenous sedative will be given to make you more comfortable during the test. Some patients also receive antibiotics before the procedure. The test begins with you lying on your left side on a table. The endoscope is passed through the mouth, esophagus, and stomach into the duodenum. The instrument does not interfere with breathing. The injection of contrast into the ducts rarely causes discomfort.
At the conclusion of your procedure, you will be taken to the recovery area until the effects of the intravenous medication wear off.
You must not drive a car, operate heavy machinery or make important decisions until the following day and therefore will need to have someone available to drive you home.
You must not drive a car, operate heavy machinery or make important decisions until the following day. Therefore, you will need to have someone available to drive you home.