ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)

ERCP is a specialized technique used to study the ducts of the gallbladder, pancreas and liver. Ducts are drainage routes; the drainage channels from the liver are called bile or biliary ducts.

During ERCP, your Arizona Gastroenterology physician will pass an endoscope through your mouth, esophagus and stomach into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube that lets your doctor see inside your bowels. After your doctor sees the common opening ducts from the liver and the pancreas, he will pass a narrow plastic tube called a catheter through the endoscope and into the ducts. Your doctor will inject a contrast material (dye) into the pancreatic or biliary ducts and will take X-rays.