Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Procedure

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a medical technique that is used primarily to investigate and treat pathologies involving the biliary tree and pancreatic ducts.

Indications which could warrant need for ERCP include gallstones, tumors, defective sphincters, sclerosis of ducts and pseudocysts, which are accumulations of fluid and tissue components.

ERCP has been traditionally used for diagnostic purposes. However, with the advent of safer and less invasive advances in imaging technologies such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), ERCP is now mainly used for therapeutic interventions.

Preparation for the ERCP Procedure

Patients are required to fast for at least 6 hours prior to undergoing the procedure. This ensures that the stomach is empty – an essential requirement for ERCP. Patient-specific preparation with regards to any medications that may have to be taken, drug allergies or co-existing medical conditions are taken into account. Cardiovascular, neurological and/or cardiopulmonary disorders should be reported to the physician as these, if unstable, are detrimental to the procedure. Furthermore, jewelry should be removed to avoid X-ray interference.

The Procedure

The procedure typically takes about an hour and intravenous (IV) sedation may be administered to help the patient relax. The throat is locally anesthetized and the patient is placed in a prone or semi-prone position before the insertion of the duodenoscope through the mouth. Caution is taken when passing the endoscope through the esophagus and stomach since there is limited visibility. If there is at any point resistance to passage, the procedure is abandoned and this resistance is investigated with the help of gastroscopy.

Once the duodenoscope has successfully passed through the stomach and entered the duodenum, its tip is manipulated to view the major duodenal papilla – this is seen as a pinkish protuberance at the junction of the horizontal-vertical duodenal folds. Appropriate positioning of the duodenoscope is critical if proper cannulation of the biliary or pancreatic ductal system is to be achieved.

Traditional cannulation has been achieved with the help of injecting contrast material to confirm proper positioning. However, there is now data to support the use of wire guidance, which uses a wire under fluoroscopy and is associated with lower incidences of post-ERCP pancreatitis and other ERCP complications. Taking this into account it has become the preferred cannulation method.

Once the wire is confirmed to be in proper positioning, the cannulation device is advanced into position and radiopaque contrast agent is injected from which a subsequent cholangiogram or pancreatogram may be obtained to assess abnormalities and allow for the appropriate therapeutic interventions to be introduced. For instance, a biliary sphincterotomy may be performed in cases of gallstones to ease the passage of stones through the bile duct. In cases of biliary stricture, a stent may be introduced to alleviate the secondary obstruction.

After the Procedure

Patients are typically monitored for 1 to 2 hours following the procedure until the effects of the sedatives wear off. The throat may feel a bit sore for a couple of days but there is normal resumption of diet and any other existing medications unless otherwise specified. Complications that may arise include infections, pancreatitis and hemorrhage. Should a patient develop fever, vomiting or worsening abdominal, chest or throat pain, medical care should be urgently sought.

References

• http://www.asge.org/patients/patients.aspx?id=398
• http://www.asge.org/patients/patients.aspx?id=386
• http://www.sages.org/publications/patient-information/patient-information-for-ercp-endoscopic-retrograde-cholangio-pancreatography-from-sages/2/
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/diagnostic-tests/ercp/Pages/diagnostic-test.aspx#Risks

Further Reading

• All Gastroenterology Content
• Gastroenterology – What is Gastroenterology?
• Malrotation of the Gastrointestinal Tract
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) Overview
• How to Recover Gut Health After Clostridium difficile Infection

Written by

Dr. Damien Jonas Wilson

Dr. Damien Jonas Wilson is a medical doctor from St. Martin in the Carribean. He was awarded his Medical Degree (MD) from the University of Zagreb Teaching Hospital. His training in general medicine and surgery compliments his degree in biomolecular engineering (BASc.Eng.) from Utrecht, the Netherlands. During this degree, he completed a dissertation in the field of oncology at the Harvard Medical School/ Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Wilson currently works in the UK as a medical practitioner.