Acute cholecystitis is a commonly encountered medical emergency that is managed surgically with excellent results. Recent experiences with endoscopic cystic duct stent placement and cholecystectomy using the NOTES (Natural Orifice…
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is currently the standard of care for biliary drainage. In the hands of experienced endoscopists, conventional ERCP has a failed cannulation rate of 3% to 5%….
Since its original description by Oddi in 1887, the sphincter of Oddi has been the subject of much study. Furthermore, the clinical syndrome of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) and…
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a therapeutic procedure with the potential for a variety of adverse events, including acute pancreatitis, perforation, bleeding, and cardiopulmonary complications, which are well-established risk factors….
Adenoma and adenocarcinoma are the most common ampullary lesions. Advances in diagnostic modalities including endoscopic ultrasonography and intraductal ultrasonography have provided useful information that aids in diagnosing and managing ampullary…
Malignant biliary obstruction can arise from intrahepatic, extrahepatic, and hilar locations from either primary or metastatic disease. Biliary-enteric surgical bypass has been surpassed in the last 20 years by endoscopic…
Patients with a variety of systemic diseases may present with clinical indications of biliary tract disorders. This article describes a group of systemic conditions associated with bile duct abnormalities and…
The use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for treating benign biliary strictures has become the standard of practice, with surgery and percutaneous therapy reserved for selected patients. The gold-standard endoscopic therapy…
Differentiating between malignant and benign bile duct strictures is often challenging. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with brush cytology and/or endobiliary forceps biopsy is routinely performed. Advanced cytologic methods such as fluorescence…
It is imperative for gastroenterologists to understand the different formations of bile duct stones and the various medical treatments available. To minimize the complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), it…
