ERCP

What is ERCP?
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a procedure that combines upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and x rays to treat problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts. ERCP is also used to diagnose problems, but the availability of non-invasive tests such as magnetic resonance cholangiography has allowed ERCP to be used primarily for cases in which it is expected that treatment will be delivered during the procedure.

What is upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy?
Upper GI endoscopy is a procedure that uses a lighted, flexible endoscope to see and perform procedures inside the upper GI tract. The upper GI tract includes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum—the first part of the small intestine.
 
The bile ducts carry bile from the liver to the duodenum. The pancreatic ducts carry pancreatic juice from the pancreas to the duodenum.


What are the bile and pancreatic ducts?
Ducts are tubelike structures in the body that carry fluids. The bile ducts carry bile, a liquid the liver makes to help break down food. A group of small bile ducts—called the biliary tree—in the liver empties bile into the larger common bile duct. Between meals, the common bile duct closes and bile collects in the gallbladder—a pear-shaped sac next to the liver.
The pancreatic ducts carry pancreatic juice, a liquid the pancreas makes to help break down food. A group of small pancreatic ducts in the pancreas empties into the main pancreatic duct.
The common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct join before emptying their contents into the duodenum through the papillary orifice at the end of the duodenal papilla—a small, nipplelike structure that extends into the duodenum.
 
The common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct join before emptying their contents into the duodenum through the papillary orifice at the end of the duodenal papilla—a small, nipplelike structure that extends into the duodenum.


When is ERCP used?
​ERCP is used when it is suspected a person’s bile or pancreatic ducts may be narrowed or blocked due to

• tumors
• gallstones that form in the gallbladder and become stuck in the ducts
• inflammation due to trauma or illness, such as pancreatitis—inflammation of the pancreas
• infection
• valves in the ducts, called sphincters, that won’t open properly
• scarring of the ducts, called sclerosis
• pseudocysts—accumulations of fluid and tissue debris

More Information
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases