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Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2007; 13(47): 6314-6320
Published online Dec 21, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i47.6314
Role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in acute pancreatitis
Karen R Canlas, Malcolm S Branch
Karen R Canlas, Malcolm S Branch, Division of Gastro-enterology and Hepatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Malcolm S Branch, MD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3662, Durham, NC 27710, United States. branch003@mc.duke.edu
Telephone: +1-919-6843787 Fax: +1-919-6818785
Received: July 12, 2007
Revised: September 13, 2007
Accepted: November 7, 2007
Published online: December 21, 2007
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.

Keywords: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; Acute pancreatitis