what is ercp /treatment#1

What are possible ERCP treatments?

How do doctors perform ERCP?

• open blocked or narrowed ducts.
• break up or remove stones.
• perform a biopsy or remove tumors in the ducts.
• insert stents—tiny tubes that a doctor leaves in narrowed ducts to hold them open. ...

What should I expect from an ERCP?

What should I expect during the procedure? During ERCP, you receive a sedative to help you relax and feel comfortable. Your specialist gives you a liquid anesthetic to gargle or a special spray to numb your throat and reduce the risk of gagging.

What to expect after your ERCP?

What to Expect

• Prior to the Procedure. You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin) and other blood thinners.
• On the Day of the Procedure. ...
• After the Procedure. ...
• Recovery: what to expect in the next few weeks. ...

What to eat after ERCP?

What to Eat After Your Procedure

• Low-fat Diet. A low-fat ERCP diet may be recommended for up to a week after the procedure. ...
• Clear Liquid Diet. Many physicians recommend a clear liquid diet after ERCP to avoid agitating the pancreas with food digestion.
• NPO Diet. Nil per os (NPO) is a medical instruction that advises patients to withhold from consuming foods and fluids.

Is ERCP a major surgery?

An ERCP is a minimally invasive interventional procedure that is part of the diagnostic and treatment plan for a number of gastrointestinal conditions. Your ERCP will require that you dedicate about a day to the procedure and recovery.

How long does it take to recover from an ERCP?

Due to the sedation used during the ERCP procedure, patients should not drive home afterward. It is also recommended that patients do not return to work immediately, as the sedatives may interfere with concentration and information retention. A full recovery may require avoiding driving or working for up to 24 hours.

Is ERCP a high risk procedure?

Because ERCP is a high-risk procedure, the indication for ERCP, especially in cases of asymptomatic CBDS, should be determined after careful consideration of the risks and benefits of the treatment.

Does ERCP remove gallstones?

ERCP can remove gallstones from the bile duct, but not from the gallbladder itself.

What are the side effects of a ERCP?

However, ERCP side effects pose a risk to the patient. ERCP side effects can be life-threatening, such as organ perforation or infection....ERCP Side EffectsSevere, worsening abdominal pain.A distended, firm abdomen.Fever or chills.Vomiting, especially vomiting blood.Difficulty swallowing or breathing.Severe sore throat.

What is the most common complication of ERCP?

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is the most frequent complication, occurring in about 3 to 5 percent of people undergoing ERCP. When it occurs, it is usually mild, causing abdominal pain and nausea, which resolve after a few days in the hospital.

How serious is stone in bile duct?

Stones may pass spontaneously out of the bile duct on their own. However, when a stone gets stuck in the bile duct, medical intervention is necessary, otherwise inflammation, bacterial infection, and even severe organ damage can occur.

Why would I need an ERCP?

You may need ERCP to find the cause of unexplained abdominal pain or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). It may be used to get more information if you have pancreatitis or cancer of the liver, pancreas, or bile ducts. Other things that may be found with ERCP include: Blockages or stones in the bile ducts.

What is the difference between ERCP and endoscopy?

The main difference between the two is that endoscopic ultrasound utilizes high-frequency sound waves to generate a virtual image and ERCP procedure uses a video camera. These two techniques are commonly used for examining organs like the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas.

Can gallstones come back after ERCP?

At present, ERCP is the first choice for the treatment of CBDS. However, ERCP has complications such as recurrence of CBDS, postoperative pancreatitis, bleeding and infection, among which the most common long-term complications are stone recurrence.

What happens if a gallstone is stuck in the bile duct?

When a gallstone is stuck in the bile duct, the bile can become infected. The bacteria from the infection can spread rapidly, and may move into the liver. If this happens, it can become a life-threatening infection. Other possible complications include biliary cirrhosis and pancreatitis.

Can a blocked bile duct cause liver damage?

If left untreated, bile duct obstructions can lead to life-threatening infections. In the long-term, they can also result in chronic liver diseases, such as biliary cirrhosis.

What is the procedure for ERCP?

Generally, an ERCP follows this process: You will need to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the procedure. You will need to remove clothes and put on a hospital gown. An intravenous (IV) line will be put in your arm or hand.

What is ERCP in medical terms?

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, is a procedure to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. It combines X-ray and the use of an endoscope—a long, flexible, lighted tube. Your healthcare provider guides the scope through your mouth and throat, then down the esophagus, stomach, ...

What are the things that can be found with ERCP?

Other things that may be found with ERCP include: Blockages or stones in the bile ducts. Fluid leakage from the bile or pancreatic ducts. Blockages or narrowing of the pancreatic ducts. Tumors. Infection in the bile ducts. Your healthcare provider may have other reasons to recommend an ERCP.

Why do you need ERCP?

You may need ERCP to find the cause of unexplained abdominal pain or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). It may be used to get more information if you have pancreatitis or cancer of the liver, pancreas, or bile ducts. Other things that may be found with ERCP include: Blockages or stones in the bile ducts.

Can ERCP be modified?

You have pouches in your esophagus (esophageal diverticula) or other abnormal anatomy that makes the test difficult to perform. Sometimes the ERCP is modified to make it work in these situations. You have barium within the intestines from a recent barium procedure since it may interfere with an ERCP.

Is it normal to take a rectal suppository after ERCP?

This is normal. Many times, a rectal suppository of a certain medicine is given after the ERCP to decrease the risk of pancreatitis. You may go back to your usual diet and activities after the procedure, unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:

Is ERCP performed for gallbladder inflammation?

Keep in mind, though, that ERCP is often performed to help relieve the disease in certain types of pancreatitis. Infection.

What is an ERCP?

A Word From Verywell. An ERCP is a minimally invasive interventional procedure that is part of the diagnostic and treatment plan for a number of conditions. Your ERCP will require that you dedicate about a day to the procedure and recovery. You may experience substantial relief as a result of this intervention.

What is the purpose of ERCP?

Purpose of ERCP. This intervention is done to evaluate for and relieve biliary obstruction, which occurs when bile can't move through one or more of the bile ducts in the biliary system . 1. A gallstone, which is a lump of bile that hardens in the gallbladder, is the most common cause of biliary obstruction. 4.

What is the difference between an ERCP and an endoscopy?

The key difference between an ERCP and other types of endoscopy is that an ERCP is specifically used to access the bile ducts, gallbladder, duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), and pancreas.

What are the risks of ERCP?

In addition to the risks associated with anesthesia, the ERCP can cause: 3 . Cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts) Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) Infection. Bleeding.

What test is done before ERCP?

Usually non-invasive diagnostic testing is done before performing an ERCP to ensure it is needed and to help craft a procedure plan. Blood test results like an elevated bilirubin level or liver enzymes point to possible bile duct obstruction. Other imaging tests that may be required include: 5.

Where is the endoscope inserted?

The endoscope will be inserted into your mouth and advanced down your throat, esophagus, stomach, and duodenum to where your biliary tracts are located. A dye will be injected so your doctor can visualize these structures. 2. Your doctor will inspect your biliary ducts with the camera that is attached to the endoscope.

Who performs ERCP?

Your ERCP will be performed by a gastroenterologist, which is a doctor specialized in diseases of the digestive system. You will have an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist monitoring your vital signs and administering your anesthesia.

What is ERCP used for?

Doctors use ERCP to diagnose and treat problems that affect the: Bile ducts , including cancer, stones and strictures. Gallbladder, including gallstones and cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder). Pancreas, including pancreatitis (inflamed, swollen pancreas), pancreatic cancer and pancreatic cysts and pseudocysts.

What is ERCP procedure?

ERCP is a relatively low-risk procedure. It helps your healthcare provider determine the cause of certain bile duct and gastrointestinal problems. ERCP can also help treat these problems. Your provider may share findings and treatment options with you on the day of the procedure or after receiving biopsy results.

What is ERCP in medical terms?

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) During ERCP, doctors use an endoscope and X-rays to view injectable dye as it travels through pancreatic and bile ducts. ERCP helps providers diagnose and treat gallstones, inflamed gallbladders, bile duct blockages, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and other conditions.

What is an ERCP?

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a test that uses a combination of X-rays and an endoscope. An endoscope is a lighted flexible tube with an attached camera.

Why do you need ERCP?

It helps your healthcare provider determine the cause of certain bile duct and gastrointestinal problems. ERCP can also help treat these problems. Your provider may share findings and treatment options with you on the day of the procedure or after receiving biopsy results.

What is the tube called that takes video X-rays?

Injects a special dye through the catheter. Takes video gastrointestinal X-rays (fluoroscopy) as the dye travels through the ducts. Checks for signs of blockage or problems.

How long does it take to get an ERCP?

ERCP is usually an outpatient procedure, which means you go home the same day. The procedure can take one to two hours. You’ll receive IV anesthesia (medicine to calm you). You’ll be awake for the procedure, but you probably won’t remember any of it. Someone will need to drive you home afterward.

What is ERCP treatment?

What is the ercp treatment? ERCP is a procedure used to examine the tubes that drain the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Other diagnostic tests like abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI cannot provide the kind of information that ERCP does. A flexible, lighted scope (endoscope) is used to produce x ray pictures.

What tests are used to determine if you need ERCP?

If your doctor is not able to identify your problem with other diagnostic tests like abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI; he may ask you to go for ERCP. Also, ERCP will be used if your doctor needs to see detailed images of the tubes that drain the liver, gallbladder and pancreas.

What is an endoscope used for?

A flexible, lighted scope (endoscope) is used to produce x ray pictures. Ercp treatment is generally used to remove or crush gallstones, open the entry of ducts into bowel, take tissue samples, drain blocked areas, check persistent abdominal pains or jaundice and stretch out narrow segments.

What is ERCP in medical terms?

What is ERCP? (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography) ERCP is a procedure that allows your doctor to see the small tubes inside your body called the pancreatic and bile ducts. These tubes are near your stomach. They carry digestive juices from your liver and pancreas to the intestines. For ERCP, your doctor uses a flexible lighted tube ...

Why do you need an ERCP?

You might also have ERCP to find the cause of abnormal results from a blood test, ultrasound, or CT scan or to fix a problem that was identified on one of these tests. Finally, ERCP can help your doctor decide if you need surgery and if so, which surgery is best. The most common reasons for ERCP include:

What happens after ERCP?

The most common problem after ERCP is a condition called “pancreatitis.”. This happens when the duct to the pancreas is irritated by the X-ray dye or small plastic tube used in ERCP. This can cause abdominal pain that gets worse instead of better after the procedure.

Why do doctors do ERCP?

Doctors do ERCP to find and treat problems in the pancreatic duct and bile duct. For example, you might have ERCP if your doctor suspects a disease of the pancreas or liver or a problem in the bile ducts.

How long does it take to get ERCP results?

Your doctor will usually tell you the ERCP results on the day of the procedure. It might take several days to get all the information if your doctor took a small sample of tissue, called a biopsy. These results take longer because a laboratory needs to examine and test the tissue.

How long does ERCP last?

You might also feel minor discomfort when your doctor injects dye for the x-rays. ERCP usually lasts thirty minutes to an hour.

How does an endoscope work?

The endoscope, or scope, is about as thick as your index finger. It goes through your mouth into your stomach and the first part of the small intestine, called the “duodenum.”. Then the doctor puts a very small, flexible plastic tube through the scope and injects some dye that shows up on X-rays. This procedure allows your doctor to see ...

What is ERCP in a doctor?

Doctors use ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) to treat problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts. Doctors also use ERCP to diagnose problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts if they expect to treat problems during the procedure.

What is ERCP in medical terms?

ERCP is an abbreviation for a medical procedure called Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography that combines upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and x-rays to to study the bile ducts, pancreatic duct and gallbladder and to treat problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts. ERCP is an advanced endoscopic procedure where a long, ...

Why do doctors perform ERCP?

Doctors perform ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) when your bile or pancreatic ducts have become narrowed or blocked because of: gallstones that form in your gallbladder and become stuck in your common bile duct. trauma or surgical complications in your bile or pancreatic ducts.

Where to take tissue samples for ERCP?

One procedure that is commonly performed through the ERCP scope is to take samples of tissue from the papilla or from the bile or pancreatic ducts. There are several different sampling techniques although the most common is to brush the area with subsequent examination of the cells obtained.

Where is the ERCP tube?

ERCP is an advanced endoscopic procedure where a long, thin flexible tube with a camera at the end called the endoscope is passed through your mouth, esophagus and stomach into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine) down to where the bile and pancreati c duct opens into the small intestine. After your doctor sees the common opening ...

How long should I not eat before ERCP?

To see your upper GI tract clearly, you doctor will most likely ask you not to eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum for at least six hours (and preferably overnight) before the ERCP procedure to make sure you have an empty stomach, which is necessary for the best examination.

How long can you drive after ERCP?

For safety reasons, you can’t drive for 24 hours after ERCP, as the sedatives or anesthesia used during the procedure needs time to wear off. You will need to make plans for getting a ride home after ERCP.

What is ERCP in medical terms?

Picture of the upper GI system, gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. ERCP is a diagnostic procedure designed to examine diseases of the liver, bile ducts and pancreas. ERCP is usually best performed under general anesthesia. It may be done using IV sedation.

What is ERCP in a lab?

What is ERCP? Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) is a diagnostic test to examine: the duodenum (the first portion of the small intestine), the papilla of Vater (a small nipple -like structure with openings leading to the bile ducts and the pancreatic duct), the bile ducts, and. the gallbladder and the pancreatic duct. ...

What are the symptoms of ERCP?

The liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas and the papilla of Vater can be involved in numerous diseases, causing myriad of symptoms. ERCP is used in diagnosing and treating the following conditions: 1 Blockage of the bile duct by gallstones, cancer, strictures (scarring) or compression from adjacent organs or tumors 2 Jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin) due to obstruction of the bile duct, also causing darkening of the urine and light colored stool. 3 Persistent or recurrent upper abdominal pain which cannot be diagnosed by other tests such as MRCP/MRI, CT 4 Confirming the diagnosis of cancer of the pancreas or the bile duct, so that surgery or other treatment can be tailored to the disease 5 When there is suspicion that the Sphincter of Oddi within the Papilla of Vater, that controls the flow of bile and pancreatic juice, is not working normally (Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction)

How long does ERCP surgery last?

The procedure can last anywhere from fifteen minutes to one hour, depending on the skill of the physician, what needs to be accomplished, and the anatomy or abnormalities in that area. ERCP also may be performed under light, general anesthesia.

Can MRCP be diagnosed with bile duct cancer?

Persistent or recurrent upper abdominal pain which cannot be diagnosed by other tests such as MRCP/MRI, CT. Confirming the diagnosis of cancer of the pancreas or the bile duct, so that surgery or other treatment can be tailored to the disease.

Can ERCP be done with IV sedation?

It may be done using IV sedation. There is a low incidence of complications. ERCP can provide important information that cannot be obtained by other diagnostic examinations, for example, abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.

Can ERCP be performed at the same time?

In certain cases, therapy can be performed at the same time through the duodenoscope, so that traditional open surgery can be avoided. ERCP, combined with endoscopic ultrasonography, is currently the diagnostic and therapeutic procedure of choice in most patients for identifying and removing gallstones in the bile ducts.

What Is ERCP?

The ERCP procedure is a specialized use of the endoscope to examine and treat the drainage systems, or ducts, of the pancreas, liver and gallbladder.

What Is Involved in an ERCP Procedure?

During an ERCP procedure, a specialized endoscope (a thin, flexible tube that allows the doctor to see inside the gastrointestinal tract) is passed through the patient’s mouth, through the stomach and into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.

Preparing for the ERCP Procedure

Your physician will provide you with instructions you will need to follow in the days before your procedure. Following these instructions is essential to limit surgery risks and provide the best results.

What Happens During an ERCP Procedure?

Typically, patients go home the same day as an ERCP procedure. The ERCP procedure is performed with you lying prone (face down) and typically takes 30 to 40 minutes to complete.

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• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography, more commonly known as ERCP, is an invasive procedure where a lighted endoscope is inserted into the mouth and gently pushed through the esophagus into the stomach, and then into the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum.

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