Role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in acute pancreatitis

World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Dec 21;13(47):6314-20. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i47.6314.

Abstract

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a useful tool in the evaluation and management of acute pancreatitis. This review will focus on the role of ERCP in specific causes of acute pancreatitis, including microlithiasis and gallstone disease, pancreas divisum, Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, tumors of the pancreaticobiliary tract, pancreatic pseudocysts, and pancreatic duct injury. Indications for endoscopic techniques such as biliary and pancreatic sphincterotomy, stenting, stricture dilation, treatment of duct leaks, drainage of fluid collections and stone extraction will also be discussed in this review. With the advent of less invasive and safer diagnostic modalities including endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and magnetic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), ERCP is appropriately becoming a therapeutic rather than diagnostic tool in the management of acute pancreatitis and its complications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Biliary Tract Neoplasms / complications
  • Biliary Tract Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde* / adverse effects
  • Gallstones / complications
  • Gallstones / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Lithiasis / complications
  • Lithiasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreas / abnormalities
  • Pancreas / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pancreas / surgery
  • Pancreatic Ducts / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Ducts / injuries
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Pseudocyst / complications
  • Pancreatic Pseudocyst / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Pseudocyst / etiology
  • Pancreatitis / complications
  • Pancreatitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pancreatitis / etiology*
  • Pancreatitis / surgery
  • Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction / complications
  • Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction / diagnostic imaging