ERCP

ERCP is short for Endoscopic, Retrograde, Cholangio, Pancreatography

Endoscopic refers to the use of an instrument called an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube with a tiny video camera and light on the end. You may be familiar with colonscopy, which is another procedure that uses an endoscope. During an ERCP, the endoscope is inserted through your mouth, down through the esophagus and stomach, to the first part of the small intestines. In the small intestine, the endoscope is used to insert a small catheter into the bile and/or pancreatic duct. The endoscope is used by a highly trained subspecialist, the gastroenterologist, to diagnose and treat various problems of the bile ducts, pancreas, liver and gallbladder.

Retrograde refers to the direction in which contrast is injected through the small catheter into bile ducts or pancreatic ducts. The contrast is injected to fill these ducts to allow their contours and dimensions to be seen on X-rays.

Cholangiopancreatography refers to the taking of X-rays when the bile duct and pancreatic duct are filled with contrast. These X-rays allow the endoscopist to diagnose and treat problems occuring within the ducts. Cholangio refers to the bile duct system, pancrea to the pancreas.

ERCP may be useful in diagnosing and treating problems causing jaundice (a yellowing of the whites of the eyes) or pain in the abdomen. To understand how ERCP can help, it’s important to know more about the pancreas and the bile duct system.

Bile is a substance made by the liver that is important in the digestion and absorption of fats. Bile is carried from the liver by a system of tubes known as bile ducts. One of these, the cystic duct, connects the gallbladder to the main bile duct. The gallbladder stores the bile between meals and empties back into the bile duct when food is consumed. The common bile duct then empties into a part of the small intestine called the duodenum. The common bile duct enters the duodenum through a nipple-like structure called the papilla.

Joining the common bile duct to pass through the papilla is the main duct from the pancreas. This pathway allows digestive juices from the pancreas to mix with food in the intestine. Problems that affect the pancreas and bile duct system can, in many cases, be diagnosed and corrected with ERCP.

For example, ERCP can be helpful when there is a blockage of the bile ducts by gallstones, tumors, scarring or other conditions that cause obstruction or narrowing (stricture) of the ducts. Similarly, blockage of the pancreatic ducts from stones, tumors or stricture can also be evaluated or treated by ERCP. ERCP is also useful in assessing causes of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Problems with the bile ducts or pancreas may first show up as jaundice or pain in the abdomen, although not always. Also, there may be changes in blood tests that show abnormalities of the liver or pancreas.

How to Prepare for the Procedure

Prior to having ERCP, there are a number of things you will need to remember:

• Don’t eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your ERCP.
• Be sure to tell your doctor all the medication you are taking, including aspirin, aspirin-containing drugs, or blood thinners.
• Identify any allergies or any reactions you have had to drugs, particularly antibiotics or pain medications.
• Follow all of your doctor’s instructions regarding preparation for the procedure.

ERCP can be done either as an outpatient procedure or may require hospitalization, depending on the individual case. Your doctor will explain the procedure and its benefits and risks, and you will be asked to sign an informed consent form. This form verifies that you agree to have the procedure and understand what’s involved.

What Can You Expect During an ERCP?

Everything will be done to ensure your comfort. Your blood pressure, pulse and the oxygen level in your blood will be carefully monitored. You will be sedated for the procedure. Your doctor will determine the type of sedation that will be used; different possibilities include conscious sedation, deep sedation or general anesthesia.

You may have the back of your throat sprayed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort as the endoscope is passed down your throat into your esophagus (the swallowing tube) and through the stomach into your duodenum.

You should not feel any pain, but you may have a sense of fullness, since air may be introduced to help advance the scope.

In the duodenum, the instrument is positioned near the papilla, the point at which the main ducts empty into the intestine. A small tube known as a cannula is threaded down through the endoscope and can be directed into either the pancreatic or common bile duct. The cannula allows a special liquid contrast material, a dye, to be injected backwards — that is, retrograde — through the ducts.

X-ray equipment is then used to examine and take pictures of the dye outlining the ducts. In this way, widening, narrowing or blockage of the ducts can be pinpointed.

Some of the problems that may be identified during ERCP can also be treated through the endoscope. For example, if a stone is blocking the pancreatic or common bile duct, it is usually possible to remove it.

First, the opening in the papilla is cut open and enlarged. Then, a special device can be inserted to retrieve the stone. Narrowing or obstruction can also have other causes, such as scarring or tumors. In some cases, a plastic or metal tube (called a stent), can be inserted to provide an opening. If necessary, a tissue sample or biopsy can be obtained, or a narrow area dilated.

What are the Possible Complications from an ERCP?

Thanks to ERCP, these kinds of procedures may help you avoid surgery. Depending on the individual and the types of procedures performed, ERCP does have a 5 to 10 percent risk of complications. In rare cases, severe complications may require prolonged hospitalization.

Mild to severe inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) is the most common complication and may require hospital care, even surgery. Bleeding can occur as well. This bleeding usually stops on its own, but occasionally, transfusion may be required or the bleeding may be directly controlled with endoscopic therapy.

A puncture or perforation of the bowel wall or bile duct is a rare problem that can occur with ERCP; if this does occur, surgery may be required. Infection can also result, especially if the bile duct is blocked and bile cannot drain. Treatment for infection requires antibiotics and restoring drainage. Finally, reactions may occur to any of the medications used during ERCP, but fortunately these are usually minor.

Be sure to discuss any specific concerns you may have about the procedure with your doctor.

What Can You Expect after Your ERCP?

When your ERCP is completed on an outpatient basis, you will need to remain under observation until your doctor or health-care team has decided you can return home. Sometimes, admission to the hospital is necessary.

When you do go home, be sure you have arranged for someone to drive you, since you’re likely to be sleepy from the sedative you received. This means, too, that you should avoid operating machinery for a day and not drink any alcohol.

Your doctor will tell you when you can take fluids and meals. Usually, it is within a few hours after the procedure.

Because of the air used during ERCP, you may continue to feel full and pass gas for awhile, and it is not unusual to have soft stool or other brief changes in bowel habits. However, if you notice bleeding from your rectum or black, tarry stools, call your doctor.

You should also report vomiting, severe abdominal pain, weakness or dizziness, and fever over 100 degrees. Fortunately, these problems are not common.

ERCP is an effective and useful procedure for evaluation or treating a number of different problems of the GI tract.