ERCP

[Guest guest]

I've read quite a few posts where ERCP is mentioned. Would someone

please tell me exactly what is this test and how is it performed?

I've had endoscopies before. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Hi!

ERCP is endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography

Which means that an endoscope is placed down your stomach

and into the duodenum. It has the special capability of squirting

dye into your bile ducts (that is the Cholangiography part) and / or

your pancreas ducts (that is the Pancreatography part). The dye

is introduced so that x-rays can be taken of the ducts. This

allows the endoscopist to see what the ducts look like, to see if

there is obstructions, twists, strictures, dilations, etc. The

endoscope allows the endoscopists to see where he / she is

going (there is a camera attached that transmits to a monitor)

and to also see first hand the inside of your esophagus,

stomach, duodenum and ducts. Many times you will only have

the bile ducts looked at (and ERC) or the pancreas ducts (ERP)

and sometimes both sets of ducts (the ERCP). The

endoscopies that you mentioned use similar intruments (the

endoscope) but do not include the dye or the x-rays that the ERC,

ERP or ERCPs do. That is what makes this procedure different

from an plain endoscopy: the absence of dye to give the x-ray

pictures of one or both ductal systems. It is usually a much

riskier procedure than the endoscopy because of the

manipulation through the duodenum and the chance of irritating

the pancreas. However, it is the gold standard for diagnosing

biliary and pancreatic problems.

Laurie

[Guest guest]

Fliss,

Don't you just HATE that! There's nothing worse than the build up, waiting for

something that's bound to be unsettling and stressful like this is, anyhow, and

then, at the very last moment, having it postphoned and told that you're going

to have to go through the waiting process all over again. Yikes!

Chin up, now that's only two weeks more.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina Rep.

SE Regional Rep., PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion

only, and should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.