Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP)

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatogram)

Why It Is Done

ERCP is done to:

• Check persistent abdominal pain or jaundice.
• Find gallstones or diseases of the liver, bile ducts, or pancreas.
• Remove gallstones from the common bile duct if they are causing a problem such as blockage (obstruction), inflammation or infection of the common bile duct (cholangitis), or pancreatitis.
• Open a narrowed bile duct or insert a drain.
• Get a tissue sample for further testing (biopsy).

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Author:	Ralph Poore	Last Updated: June 20, 2007
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
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