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ERCP
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; Papillotomy; Endoscopic sphincterotomy; ERCP
ERCP is short for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. It is a procedure that looks at the bile ducts. It is done through an endoscope.
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Bile ducts are the tubes that carry
bile
from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine.
Bile
Bile is a fluid that is made and released by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile helps with digestion. It breaks down fats into fatty acid...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - ERCP is used to treat stones, tumors, or narrowed areas of the bile ducts.
Description
An intravenous (IV) line is placed in your arm. You will lie on your stomach or on your left side for the test.
- Medicines to relax or sedate you will be given through the IV.
- Sometimes, a spray to numb the throat is also used. A mouth guard will be placed in your mouth to protect your teeth. Dentures must be removed.
After the sedative takes effect, the endoscope is inserted through the mouth. It goes through the esophagus (food pipe) and stomach until it reaches the duodenum (the part of the small intestine that is closest to the stomach).
Duodenum
The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine. It is located between the stomach and the middle part of the small intestine, or jejunum. Aft...
- You should not feel discomfort, and may have little memory of the test.
- You may gag as the tube is passed down your esophagus.
- You may feel stretching of the ducts as the scope is put in place.
A thin tube (catheter) is passed through the endoscope and inserted into the tubes (ducts) that lead to the pancreas and gallbladder. A special dye is injected into these ducts, and x-rays are taken. This helps the doctor see stones, tumors, and any areas that have become narrowed.
Special instruments can be placed through the endoscope and into the ducts.
Why the Procedure Is Performed
The procedure is used mostly to treat problems of the pancreas or bile ducts that can cause abdominal pain (most often in the right upper or middle stomach area) and yellowing of the skin and eyes ( jaundice ).
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.
Jaundice
Jaundice is a yellow color of the skin, mucus membranes, or eyes. The yellow coloring comes from bilirubin, a byproduct of old red blood cells. Jau...
ERCP may be used to:
- Open the entry of the ducts into the bowel (sphincterotomy)
- Stretch out narrow segments (bile duct strictures)
- Remove or crush gallstones
- Diagnose conditions such as biliary cirrhosis or sclerosing cholangitis
- Take tissue samples to diagnose a tumor of the pancreas, bile ducts, or gallbladder
- Drain blocked areas
Note: Imaging tests generally will be done to diagnose the cause of symptoms before an ERCP is done. These include ultrasound tests, CT scan, or MRI scan.
Risks
Risks from the procedure include:
- Reaction to the anesthesia, dye, or drug used during the procedure
- Bleeding
- Hole (perforation) of the bowel
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can be very serious
Before the Procedure
You will need to not eat or drink for at least 4 hours before the test. You will sign a consent form.
Remove all jewelry so that it will not interfere with the x-ray .
x-ray
X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray particles through the body. The im...
Tell your health care provider if you have allergies to iodine or you have had reactions to other dyes used to take x-rays.
You will need to arrange a ride home for after the procedure.
After the Procedure
Someone will need to drive you home from the hospital.
The air that is used to inflate the stomach and bowel during an ERCP can cause some bloating or gas for about 24 hours. After the procedure, you may have a sore throat for the first day. Soreness may last for up to 3 to 4 days.
Do only light activity on the first day after the procedure. Avoid heavy lifting for the first 48 hours.
You can treat pain with acetaminophen (Tylenol). DO NOT take aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Putting a heating pad on your belly may relieve pain and bloating.
The health care provider will tell you what to eat. Most often, you will want to drink fluids and eat only a light meal on the day after the procedure.
Call your provider if you have:
- Abdominal pain or severe bloating
- Bleeding from the rectum or black stools
- Fever above 100°F (37.8°C)
- Nausea or vomiting
References
Taylor AJ. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In: Gore RM, ed. Textbook of Gastrointestinal Radiology . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 74.
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ERCP - illustration
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an endoscopic procedure used to identify the presence of stones, tumors, or narrowing in the biliary and pancreatic ducts. After the endoscope is properly placed, a catheter is advanced which will inject a contrast agent through the ducts. The contrast is visible on X-rays, and allows a physician to evaluate the caliber, length and course of the ducts.
ERCP
illustration
-
ERCP - illustration
During an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, a catheter is advanced through the endoscope and inserted into the pancreatic or biliary ducts. A contrast agent is injected into these ducts and X-rays are taken to evaluate their caliber, length and course. Narrowing, stones, and tumors in the ducts can be identified in the X-rays.
ERCP
illustration
-
Normal anatomy
Presentation
-
ERCP - illustration
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an endoscopic procedure used to identify the presence of stones, tumors, or narrowing in the biliary and pancreatic ducts. After the endoscope is properly placed, a catheter is advanced which will inject a contrast agent through the ducts. The contrast is visible on X-rays, and allows a physician to evaluate the caliber, length and course of the ducts.
ERCP
illustration
-
ERCP - illustration
During an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, a catheter is advanced through the endoscope and inserted into the pancreatic or biliary ducts. A contrast agent is injected into these ducts and X-rays are taken to evaluate their caliber, length and course. Narrowing, stones, and tumors in the ducts can be identified in the X-rays.
ERCP
illustration
-
Normal anatomy
Presentation
Review Date: 4/20/2015
Reviewed By: Subodh K. Lal, MD, Gastroenterologist with Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
