What is Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)?
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure that combines upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and X-rays to identify and treat medical problems involving the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, and liver. What is the purpose of an ERCP? The ERCP procedure is used to identify and treat biliary and pancreatic diseases. Non-invasive procedures such as MRI are preferable for diagnosis alone. When the bile or pancreatic ducts get blocked as a consequence of: Gallstones Pancreatitis, both acute and chronic Bile Duct Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic Pseudocysts How to prepare for an ERCP? It is important to discuss all the medications currently being used by the patient including vitamin and mineral supplements, medications for arthritis, diabetes, blood pressure, NSAIDs, etc. Your doctor may advise you to temporarily discontinue drugs that interact with sedatives. Prior to the treatment, the doctor would also give the patient the following instructions: Do not eat or...