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PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of CT duodeno-cholangiopancreatography to ERCP for assessing biliary obstruction.

The authors have developed a CT protocol, CT duodeno-cholangiopancreatography (CDCP), which is performed during a single contrast-enhanced phase, proceeding cranially, allowing enhancement of the pancreas during its parenchymal phase followed by enhancement of the liver during its portal-venous phase. This retrospective pilot study evaluates CDCP compared with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as a diagnostic tool for assessing the cause and level of biliary obstruction. Forty-one patients with jaundice underwent CDCP and ERCP between October 2002 and May 2004. Pathologic confirmation was obtained in 31 of the 41 (76%) patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and kappa values of CDCP and ERCP compared with pathology were calculated for tumors and stones. Pathology-proven cases included 7 cases of stones, 23 tumors, and 1 other cause of obstruction. The overall level of agreement of diagnoses between CDCP and pathology was 29 of 31 (93.5%); that between CDCP and ERCP was 36 of 41 (88%). Comparing CDCP to pathology for tumors, the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity was 89%, and the kappa was 0.92 (95% CI 0.76-1.0). For stone detection, CDCP had a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 100%, and a kappa value of 0.90 (95% CI 0.72-1.0). For level of obstruction of the common bile duct, comparing CDCP to ERCP, observations agreed in 31 of the 36 (86%) cases; for the pancreatic duct, observations agreed in 24 of the 25 (96%) cases. CDCP is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that can be used to assess the cause and level of obstruction. A blinded prospective study would be valuable to further assess the merits of CDCP.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Can somatostatin prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis? Results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), occurring in 1-10% of patients. Several substances have been used, with negative results, in an attempt to prevent this complication. METHODS: We performed a double-blind randomized trial in 372 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP to evaluate the role of somatostatin in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis. The first group received continuous somatostatin infusion for 12 h starting 30 min before ERCP, the second group received a bolus intravenous injection of somatostatin at the time of cannulation of the papilla, and the third group received a placebo. RESULTS: Two patients in each of the somatostatin groups (1.7%) and 12 patients in the placebo group (9.8%) developed pancreatitis (P<0.05). Serum amylase levels 5 and 24 h after the procedure were lower in both groups that received somatostatin than in the placebo group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Somatostatin is useful in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis. Further studies must be designed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of the drug and to determine the ideal administration route and dosage.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

ERCP in post-Billroth II gastrectomy patients: emphasis on technique.

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in post-Billroth II (BII) gastrectomy is more difficult due to anatomical changes. The difficulties include entrance to the afferent loop and selective cannulation. Our aim here is to report the success rate and special manipulations and techniques of this procedure. METHODS: A retrospective review of 56 ERCP procedures in post-BII gastrectomy patients was performed. There were 43 male and 13 female patients with a mean age of 63 yr (range, 32-78 yr). All cases were tried with forward-viewing endoscope first. Of the failed cases, 10 were retried by side-view duodenoscope. The entrance to the afferent loop was attempted by starting from the upper opening at the anastomosis site and, if this failed, then using the lower opening; presence of bile; and air-contrasted afferent loop under fluoroscopy. If failure of afferent loop entrance resulted, hand compression over the mid-abdomen, or polypectomy snare in the working channel of the endoscope, was tried. For failure of common bile duct cannulation with straight catheters, techniques of pushing the catheter against the duodenal wall and bending the tip of the endoscope or guidewire were used. RESULTS: The success rate of afferent loop entrance was 76.7% (43 of 56 cases). The afferent loop was identified in the upper orifice of the anastomosis in 93% (40 of 43) of the cases. Eight cases of afferent loop entrance could be facilitated by hand compression, and three by polypectomy snare in the working channel of the endoscope. The success rate of ERCP cannulation in those successful afferent loop intubation cases was 81.3% (35/43 cases). Most of the selective common bile duct (CBD) cannulation was achieved by straight (new) catheter and an additional six cases were successful using the techniques mentioned. No serious complications were encountered, except three cases of submucosal hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: The overall success rate of BII ERCP was 62.5% (35 of 56 cases). The special manipulations mentioned in BII ERCP can be helpful in certain cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Objective evaluation of ERCP procedures: a simple grading scale for evaluating technical difficulty.

BACKGROUND: and objective: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technically demanding endoscopic procedure that varies from a simple diagnostic to a highly complex therapeutic procedure. Simple outcome measures such as success and complication rates do not reflect the competence of the operator or endoscopy unit, as case mix is not taken into account. A grading scale to assess the technical difficulty of ERCP can improve the objectivity of outcome data. METHODS: A I to IV technical difficulty grading scale was constructed and applied prospectively to all ERCPs over a 12 month period at a single centre. The procedures were performed by two senior trainees and two experienced consultants (trainers). The grading scale was validated for construct validity and inter-rater reliability at the end of the study using the chi(2) test and kappa statistics. RESULTS: There were 305 ERCPs in 259 patients over the 12 months study period (males: 112, females: 147, age range 17-97, mean 70.3 years). There was overall success in 244 (80%) procedures with complications in 13 (4%): bleeding in five (1.6%), cholangitis in one (0.3%), pancreatitis in five (1.6%), and perforation in two (0.7%). Success rate was highest for grade I, 49/55 (89%), compared with grade IV procedures, 8/11 (73%). There was a significant linear trend towards a lower success rate from grade I to IV (p=0.021) for trainees, but not for trainers. Complications were low in grade I, II, and III procedures, 12/295(4%), compared with grade IV procedures, 1/11(9%). The inter-rater reliability for the grading scale was good with a substantial agreement between the raters (kappa=0.68, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Success and complications of ERCP by trainees are influenced by the technical difficulty of the procedure. Outcome data incorporating a grading scale can give accurate information when auditing the qualitative outcomes. This can provide a platform for structured objective evaluation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Differentiation of extrahepatic bile duct cholangiocarcinoma from benign stricture: findings at MRCP versus ERCP.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate criteria for differentiating extrahepatic bile duct cholangiocarcinoma from benign cause of stricture at magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and to compare diagnostic accuracy with this modality versus endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRCP and ERCP images in 50 patients (27 with cholangiocarcinoma [18 men, nine women; mean age, 58 years] and 23 with benign cause of stricture [13 men, 10 women; mean age, 60 years]) were retrospectively reviewed to assess the appearance of bile duct strictures. Final diagnosis was based on surgical or biopsy findings. Strictures were described according to their imaging appearance (irregular or smooth margins, asymmetric or symmetric narrowing, abrupt narrowing or gradual tapering, and presence or absence of double-duct sign). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRCP and ERCP were calculated by using ratings of confidence in image-based diagnosis. Lengths of stricture were electronically measured and compared by using the Student t test. RESULTS: Among cholangiographic criteria for malignant biliary stricture, irregular margins and asymmetric narrowing were more common in cholangiocarcinomas (24 [89%] of 27 patients) than in benign strictures (six [26%] and eight [35%] of 23 patients, respectively). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the two methods for differentiation of malignant from benign causes of biliary stricture were 81% (22 of 27), 70% (16 of 23), and 76% (38 of 50), respectively, for MRCP and 74% (20 of 27), 70% (16 of 23), and 72% (36 of 50), respectively, for ERCP. Mean length (+/- standard deviation) of cholangiocarcinomas was 30.0 mm +/- 8.5, and that of benign strictures was 13.6 mm +/- 9.1 (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Accuracy of MRCP is comparable with that of ERCP. Regardless of modality, a lengthy segment of extrahepatic bile duct stricture with irregular margin and asymmetric narrowing suggests cholangiocarcinoma, and a short segment with regular margin and symmetric narrowing suggests benign cause.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography as a diagnostic tool for common bile duct stones: a comparison with ERCP and clinical follow-up.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The diagnostic potential of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) has improved as a result of evolving technique. MRCP has the advantage of negligible morbidity and mortality in contrast to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This study was performed to evaluate MRCP as a replacement for diagnostic ERCP for the suspicion of common bile duct (CBD) stones. METHODS: From 1998 to 2001, MRCP was performed in 202 patients with a suspicion of CBD stones based on medical history (MH), cholestatic liver function tests (CL), both MH and CL or other reasons. ERCP was performed in all patients where MRCP indicated the presence of CBD stones and in those patients with a persistent strong clinical suspicion for CBD stones despite a negative MRCP. RESULTS: In 25 patients, MRCP suggested CBD stones which were proven with ERCP in 24 patients. Despite a negative MRCP, 27 patients had a subsequent ERCP. None of these patients appeared to have CBD stones. In this group, MRCP resulted in 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity in detecting CBD stones. Follow-up of all patients revealed 5 more patients with persistent clinical suspicion or cholestatic liver function values. Assuming CBD stones in these patients, MRCP had a sensitivity of 83 % and a specificity of 99% for this diagnosis. CONCLUSION: In the case of CBD stone suspicion, MRCP should be the diagnostic procedure of choice.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in pediatric patients].

BACKGROUND: While Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) is widely employed in the management of adult pancreaticobiliary disease, its use in children has been limited. AIMS: To evaluate if ERCP diagnostic and therapeutic, is a safe and useful procedure in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatobiliary disorders in children. PATIENTS, METHODS AND RESULTS: We reviewed our experience with 72 ERCPs performed in 50 children (age 7-17 y, mean 14.5 y). The procedures were performed using standard adult side-viewing duodenoscopes. We used general anesthesia in 25 and conscious sedation in 47. In 38 patients we performed one, in 7/2, in 2/3, in 1/4 and in 2/5 ERCPs. The biliary or pancreatic ducts were successfully cannulated in 98%. Abnormal papilla accounted for the unsuccessful attempt. Abnormalities were found in biliary ducts in 54% and pancreatic duct in 24%, including choledocholithiasis (10), stenosis of the papilla (5), benign biliary stenoses (5), recurrent pancreatitis (4), pancreatic fistula (4), bile duct leak (3), cholelithiasis (3), chronic calcifying pancreatitis (2), pancreas divisum (2) and choledochal cyst (1). Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed in 19 patients, 15 on biliary segment and four on pancreatic segment. Stents were placed in the biliary duct in nine patients and in pancreatic duct in six patients. Complications included abdominal pain and elevated amylase in three patients (6%), which resolved rapidly. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP in children and adolescents is a safe and underutilized diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Complications of diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In the era of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) and laparoscopic biliary surgery, indications for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) should be profoundly considered in the light of ERCP related complication rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To evaluate the frequency of complications associated with diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP, all endoscopic procedures from 1991 to 1996 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 813 cannulations were performed on 590 patients. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) was performed on 223 patients out of 230 attempted. Common bile duct stones were removed from 134 patients, an endoscopic stent was inserted in 69 patients and a benign stricture was dilated in 11 patients. After diagnostic ERCP, the complication rate was 1.8% with no mortality, after EST the complication rate was 9.1% with a mortality rate of 0.9%. Pancreatitis was the most common complication with a rate of 1.5% after diagnostic ERCP and 3.9% after EST. In three patients the pancreatitis was severe and resulted in the deaths of two of them. Other complications were haemorrhage after EST (2.6%), duodenal wall or bile duct perforation (0.7% of the cannulations and 2.2% of EST) and cholangitis (0.6% of all cannulations). All of these patients survived. CONCLUSION: Complication rates were comparable with large series from clinics specialised in endoscopic procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Antibiotic prevention and therapy of infectious complications in ERCP].

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may be complicated by bacteremia, cholangitis, or biliary sepsis. Bacteremia during ERCP implies a potential risk of endocarditis in patients with valvular prostheses or a previous history of infectious endocarditis. For these patients antibiotic prophylaxis prior to ERCP is recommended. Cholangitis or biliary sepsis may develop after ERCP in patients with obstructed bile ducts. In these patients antibiotics should be administered until adequate drainage of biliary obstructions is achieved. Antibiotic prophylaxis and antibiotic therapy must consider the spectrum of micro-organisms which is normally found in each of these situations. Regarding bacteremias associated with ERCP gram-positive cocci predominate, whereas cholangitis and biliary sepsis are caused mainly by gram-negative rods like Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Klebsiella spp.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Outcome and early complications of ERCP: a prospective single center study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: ERCP has been used since 1968 both as a diagnostic and as a therapeutic procedure. In the last ten years several less invasive imaging methods have developed which allow visualization of bile ducts and pancreatic ducts; therefore ERCP has become mainly a therapeutic tool. The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the early outcome of ERCP when used essentially as a therapeutic tool. METHODOLOGY: All patients referred to our unit between April 1 1998 and March 31 2000 were included in the study. The indication for the procedure, number of cannulations, duration of procedure, performance of endoscopic sphinterotomy or pre-cut, insertion of stent and the final outcome were recorded. All patients were visited (in-patients) or contacted by phone (outpatients) 24 hours and one week after the procedure. If a complication occurred the patient was followed until it was resolved. RESULTS: 722 ERCP procedures were performed on 534 patients (59% females), mean age 63.4 years (range 3 to 98 years). The procedure was performed with a therapeutic intention in 95% of cases because of suspicion of: cholelithiasis (58%), tumor of pancreas/bile ducts (30%), post-cholecystectomy bile leak or bile duct stenosis (6%) or treatment of chronic pancreatitis (1%). The overall success rate of selective duct cannulation was 92%. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed in 375 procedures (52%), pre-cut in 152 (21%) and stent inserted in 180 (25%). Among the 701 procedures with complete information 76 complications occurred in 73 patients (10.8%): pancreatitis 4.3%, perforation 1.3%, sepsis 3.7%, bleeding 1.4%. Most of the complications (63/701, 9%) were mild to moderate. Procedure-related mortality was 0.6% due to perforation (1 patient), and sepsis (3 patients). The main factors influencing the complication rate were the difficulty of the examination, performance of an invasive procedure or the operator. CONCLUSIONS: In the era of therapeutic ERCP, the risk of severe complication from the procedure is low--1.8% (including a mortality rate of 0.6%) when using the appropriate technique in experienced and skilled hands.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Anesthesia for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) from 1999--2003 in Siriraj Hospital: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) is another treatment option for hepato-biliary tract abnormalities. The authors studied anesthetic data as a basis for further research. METHOD: Retrospectively analyzed the patients on whom ERCP had been performed during the period of January, 1999 to November, 2003 in Siriraj Hospital. The patients' characteristics, preanesthetic problems, anesthetic techniques, anesthetic agents, anesthetic time, ERCP procedure and complications were assessed. RESULTS: There were 2,144 patients who received the procedure during study period The age group of 50-69 years was the highest one (46.9%). Most patients had ASA class 11 (54.7%). The diagnosis were stone (40.3%), tumor (34.0%), hepato-biliary tract infection (8.1%) and others (17.6%). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hematologic diseases were the most common preanesthetic problems. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) was the anesthetic technique mainly employed (96.4%). Anesthetic agents were mainly administered with propofol, midazolam and fentanyl. The mean anesthetic time was 40.0+/-18.5 minutes. The indications for ERCP procedures were diagnostic (18.9%), stone removal (37.1%), stent removal and/or insertion (35.3%) and others (8.7%). The most frequent anesthetic complication was hypotension. CONCLUSION: During anesthetic management for ERCP, special techniques or drugs in anesthesia are not routinely required, however, the anesthetic personnel had to optimize the patient's condition for safety and there should be an awareness of complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Preventive effect of 5-fluorouracil on post-ERCP pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preventive effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on post-ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) hyperamy-lasemia and pancreatitis. METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients who underwent ERCP were divided at random into 2 groups: group A (n = 80) was given meglumine diatrizoate with 5-FU; and group B (n = 80) was used contrast medium without 5-FU. Blood was drawn in each group the day before, 6 hours and 24 hours following ERCP for amylase. RESULTS: Post-ERCP hyperamylasemia occurred in 9 patients in group A (11. 25%) and 45 in B (56.25%). The difference of both groups was notable. Pancreatitis ensued in 2 instances in group A (2.50%) and 8 in group B (10.00%). Their difference was significant. CONCLUSION: 5-FU added in meglumine diatrizoate is helpful to prevent post-ERCP hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗
PubMed1991

[Importance of cardiocirculatory and pulmonary monitoring in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)].

Among the side effects of endoscopy, cardiopulmonary complications are particularly important. This risk appears to be greatest in endoscopic retrograde cholangio- and pancreaticography (ERCP) because of the patient's prone position, iv sedatives and analgetics and the relatively long duration of the examination. We studied 75 patients (50 patients without and 25 patients with premedication) who were to undergo ERCP and looked at these data: age, weight, premedication, accompanying diseases, reason for this examination, blood count, oxygen saturation SaO2 (pulse oximeter), pulse, blood pressure and length of the examination. Overall, the oxygen saturation decreased considerably and two patients only had 69%. Pulse rate increased and one patient had 205 beats per minute, one 172. We looked for a correlation between SaO2, pulse rate and blood pressure and studied the patients' usual medication, the length of the ERCP, the indication for ERCP, age and hemoglobin. There was no correlation. But all patients suffering from a compromised cardiopulmonary status had received a rather heavy premedication and the ERCP was longer than in other patients. Since it is not clear which patients may develop cardiopulmonary complications, it is advisable to monitor all patients by pulse oximeter in order to avoid these complications. This seems also advisable because the rooms where the examination takes place are darkened and the patient is in a prone position so he cannot be seen clearly.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Post-ERCP acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

An analysis of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was carried out. The incidence of ANP was 0.5% (5/914) for ERCP and 0.5% (2/370) for endoscopic sphincterotomies (EST). All the five patients were obese, middle-aged or older women. Four had a suspicion of common bile duct stones and the fifth a pancreatic tumour as an indication for ERCP. Two had most probably a functional sphincteric disorder and the third was without clear pathological findings. In the remaining two cases the bile duct cannulation failed and repeated pancreatic duct cannulation occurred; while in one case the pancreatic duct was not cannulated. The four pancreatographies were normal and without parenchymal opacification. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis started within 6 hours after ERCP. The pancreatitis was severe by Ranson criteria and necrotizing by evaluation at laparotomy. All the patients showed bacterial growth either in bile, blood or ascitic fluid early in the course of pancreatitis (E. coli, Str. faecalis or Klebsiella pneumoniae). The possible pathogenetic factors of post-ERCP ANP are discussed.

Abscess↗
PubMed1989

[Arrhythmia during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and colonoscopy].

A group of 51 patients undergoing ERCP and 33 patients undergoing colonoscopy underwent additionally electrocardiography (ekg) by Holter method so as to define the frequency and character of rhythm disorders during the above examinations and the correlation between those disorders and coexisting circulatory system diseases. Besides, the author compared the percentage of ckg changes observed during ERCP and colonoscopy with the changes found during panendoscopy (described in the previous paper). Ekg monitoring by means of Oxford Medilog System apparatus started half an hour before fibroscopy and continued up to half an hour after the examination. In the ERCP premedication, just before endoscopy, the author made 2-3 spraying of 10% of lignocaine solution on the pharynx mucosa and half an hour earlier s.c. 10 mg of morphine with 1 mg of atropin sulphate. Patients undergoing colonoscopy were given (half an hour before the examination) 10 mg of diazepam with 20 mg noramidopyrin. The percentage of patients with circulatory system diseases was in the two groups similar and amounted to 31.4% (ERCP) and 33.3% (colonoscopy). In the statistical analysis the author used chi-square test, difference test, analysis of variances and standardization of the results by means of the direct method. The examinations made showed a significant increase in cardiac rhythm disorders during ERCP (in 70% of patients) and colonoscopy (in 70.9% of patients). During the examinations, the most frequent disorders were sinus tachycardia above 120/min., ventricular and supraventricular extrasystoles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

ERCP in the assessment of patients with post-cholecystectomy syndrome: benefits and limitations.

The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy yielded by endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in a group of 41 patients presenting with persistent or recurrent abdominal pain and/or cholestasis following cholecystectomy. Each patient had previously undergone, without success, a different combination of non-invasive tests. Cannulation with adequate opacification of at least one duct was achieved in all patients. Aetiologically diagnostic findings obtained with ERCP were as follows: normal 36.8%, choledocholithiasis 34%, benign biliary stenosis 9.8%, chronic pancreatitis 4.9%, pancreatic carcinoma 2.4%, ampullary carcinoma 2.4%, cholangiocarcinoma 2.4%, miscellaneous 7.3%. ERCP gave a final diagnosis in 26 patients (63%) and in all the cases presenting with cholestasis. ERCP plays a first-line role in the diagnostic assessment of patients with the post-cholecystectomy syndrome. However, there is still a considerable part of this population in whom ERCP does not contribute to a diagnosis.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1979

[The contribution of ERCP to the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis].

A survey is given of the present state of the ERCP in the diagnostics of the chronic pancreatitis. The ERCP is not suited for the proof of early changes in the chronic pancreatitis; it does not allow an exclusion diagnosis. The value of the ERCP in the chronic pancreatitis consists in the fact to render the indication to operation by the proof changes which should be operated on, or to precise it, respectively, and to prevent unnecessary test laparotomies. For this reason the ERCP is indicated above all in the ascertained chronically relapsing pancreatitis and in the persistence of symptoms after an acute inflammatory attack. The most comprehensive information about the morphologic state of the pancreas is got by the combination of the ERCP with methods which reflect the size and the external form of the organ and give evidence concerning the structural changes (sonography, computer tomography).

Cholangiography↗
PubMed1980

[Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticography (ERCP) and computer tomography in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, pseudocysts and carcinoma of the pancreas--a comparison (author's transl)].

In 107 patients, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) and computer tomography (CT) were performed at a short time interval. The combined use of ERCP and CT yielded a correct diagnosis in chronic pancreatitis in 92% of the patients; pseudocysts were diagnosed correctly in 100% of the cases, whereas the rate of accuracy in carcinomas was 94%. In chronic pancreatitis, ERCP usually gave clear and comprehensive information. CT proved a valuable additional examination method wherever the findings did not supply a clear answer. Both examination method were ideally complementary in pseudocysts, so that ERCP and CT were found to be appropriate in each case. In carcinoma, ERCP proved superior to primary diagnosis, whereas CT served to confirm the findings and to assess the volume occupied by the tumor.

Adult↗