Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography Totally Explained

Everything about Ercp totally explained

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technique that combines the use of endoscopy and fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat certain problems of the biliary or pancreatic ductal systems. It is an x-ray examination of the bile ducts which is aided by a video endoscope. Through the endoscope, the physician can see the inside of the stomach and duodenum, and inject dyes into the ducts in the biliary tree and pancreas so they can be seen on x-rays.
ERCP is used primarily to diagnose and treat conditions of the bile ducts, including gallstones, inflammatory strictures (scars), leaks (from trauma and surgery), and cancer. ERCP combines the use of x-rays and endoscopy, which is the use of a long, flexible, lighted tube.
ERCP can be performed for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons, although the development of safer and relatively non-invasive investigations such as MRCP and endoscopic ultrasound has meant that ERCP is now rarely performed without therapeutic intent.

Diagnostic

Obstructive jaundice - This may be due to several causes
Chronic pancreatitis - a now controversial indication due to widespread availability of safer diagnostic modalities including endoscopic ultrasound, high-resolution CT, and MRI/MRCP
Gallstones with dilated bile ducts on ultrasonography
Bile duct tumors
Suspected injury to bile ducts either as a result of trauma or iatrogenic
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
Pancreatic tumors no longer represent a valid diagnostic indication for ERCP unless they cause bile duct obstruction and jaundice. Endoscopic ultrasound represents a safer and more accurate diagnostic alternative

Therapeutic

Any of the above when the following may become necessary

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (both of the biliary and the pancreatic sphincters)
Removal of stones
Insertion of stent(s)
Dilation of strictures (for example primary sclerosing cholangitis, anastomotic strictures after liver transplantation)

Contraindications:

Absolute contraindication:

The uncooperative patient.

Relative Contraindications

Recent attack of acute pancreatitis, within the past several weeks.
Recent myocardial infarction.
Inadequate surgical back-up
History of contrast dye anaphylaxis
Poor health condition for surgery.
Severe cardiopulmonary disease.
Ascites.

Procedure

The patient is often sedated or anaesthetized. Then a flexible camera (endoscope) is inserted through the mouth, down the esophagus, into the stomach, through the pylorus into the duodenum where the ampulla of Vater (the opening of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct) exists. The sphincter of Oddi is a muscular valve that controls the opening of the ampulla. The region can be directly visualized with the endoscopic camera while various procedures are performed. A plastic catheter or is inserted through the ampulla, and radiocontrast is injected into the bile ducts, and/or, pancreatic duct. Fluoroscopy is used to look for blockages, or leakage of bile into the peritoneum (the abdominal cavity).
   A wire and balloon may be passed into the bile duct, then inflated in order to expand the opening of the bile duct to allow passage of gallstones. When needed, the opening of the ampulla can be enlarged with an electrified wire (sphincterotome) and access into the bile duct obtained so that gallstones may be removed or other therapy performed.
   Other procedures associated with ERCP include the trawling of the common bile duct with a basket or balloon to remove gallstones and the insertion of a plastic stent to assist the drainage of bile. Also, the pancreatic duct can be cannulated and stents be inserted. The pancreatic duct requires visualisation in cases of pancreatitis.
   In specific cases, a second camera can be inserted through the channel of the first endoscope. This is termed duodenoscope-assisted cholangiopancreatoscopy (DACP) or mother-daughter ERCP. The daughter scope can be used to administer direct electrohydraulic lithotripsy to break up stones, or to help in diagnosis by directly visualizing the duct (as opposed to obtaining X-ray images).

Risks

The major risk of an ERCP is the development of pancreatitis, which can occur in up to 5% of all procedures. This may be self limited and mild, but may require hospitalization, and rarely, may be life-threatening. Patients at additional risk for pancreatitis are younger patients, patients with previous post-ERCP pancreatitis, females, procedures that involve cannulation or injection of the pancreatic duct, and patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.
Gut perforation is a risk of any endoscopic procedure, and is an additional risk if a sphincterotomy is performed. As the second part of the duodenum is anatomically in a retroperitoneal location (that is, behind the peritoneal structures of the abdomen), perforations due to sphincterotomies are also retroperitoneal. Sphincterotomy is also associated with a risk of bleeding. ERCP involves intravenous sedation to keep patients comfortable; experienced anesthesia providers will provide patients with sedation only in an "as needed" amount to keep them comfortable. Oversedation can result in dangerously low blood pressure and nausea and vomiting.
There is also a risk associated with the contrast dye in patients who are allergic to compounds containing iodine.

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