ERCP
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure that uses X-rays and an endoscope to view, diagnose, and treat problems in the bile ducts, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
The liver makes bile, a chemical that helps with digestion. Long, narrow tubes called bile ducts transport bile to the gallbladder, where it is stored until needed. When you eat, the bile ducts then carry bile from the gallbladder to the duodenum (or first part of the small intestine), where food is liquefied and nutrients are absorbed. The pancreas is a large gland that produces insulin and other chemicals that help with digestion.
Your Austin Gastroenterology doctor may perform ERCP to diagnose problems that can interfere with this process and cause abdominal pain, such as gallstones, tumors, or narrowing (strictures) in the bile ducts. They may also use ERCP to diagnose pancreatic disease, including pancreatitis and cancer.
How to Prepare for an ERCP
You should not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to the procedure. Your doctor will let you know if or when you should adjust or stop any medications you take. Because you will be sedated, you will need someone to drive you home after the procedure.
What to Expect
ERCP is performed during an upper endoscopy. A mouth guard will be placed to protect your teeth and gums. Your throat may also be numbed with a spray to calm the gag reflex. You will lie on your left side on a special X-ray (fluoroscopy) table and receive sedation through an IV line to relax you and make you feel drowsy. Your doctor will then insert the endoscope through the mouth, passing it down through the esophagus and stomach into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).
Your doctor will then pass a cannula through the endoscope and insert it into the bile ducts that lead to the pancreas and gallbladder. A contrast dye will be injected through the cannula into the ducts, and X-rays will be taken. This helps your doctor see gallstones, tumors, or strictures.
If the doctor finds an obstruction in the bile ducts, they can insert special instruments through the endoscope and into the ducts to remove stones, drain blocked areas, or stretch out (dilate) any narrowed areas. If your doctor finds a tumor, they can take a biopsy for testing in a lab.
ERCP usually lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on any treatments your doctor needs to perform.
ERCP Near Me in Austin, TX
ERCP is a key procedure for diagnosing and treating bile duct and pancreatic conditions with precision and care. At Austin Gastroenterology, our experienced team of board-certified physicians and skilled GI care providers is dedicated to using advanced techniques to address your needs and improve your health. To schedule an appointment, you can send us a message on Klara or fill out our secure online appointment request form. We proudly serve our community from 18 convenient locations around the greater Austin area. Take the first step toward expert care with our help today.
