Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Endoscopic Retrograde CholangiopancreatographyEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is performed by gastroenterologists or surgeons to evaluate the bile duct, pancreatic duct, and ampulla.Bile and pancreatic enzymes are released into the small bowel to assist digestion.Bile flows from the liver, is stored in the gallbladder, then flows through the common bile duct.Similarly, pancreatic enzymes flow from the pancreas through the pancreatic duct.The ampulla is the confluence of the biliary and pancreatic ducts.Both of these ducts can become blocked or narrowed by stones, tumors, or inflammation.