What's an ERCP ?
Let's say this slowly, and I'll help with the end bit ...
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (Cole-Angio-Pancrea-Togrophy).
And here's you thinking 'Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis' was a mouthful eh ?
An ERCP is a procedure usually performed under general anaesthetic, where the doctor inserts a flexible tube (scope) down your throat, past your stomach and then injects a 'dye' into your bile ducts. X-ray imaging reveals the damage for all to see.
(See pic on the left ... Notice the narrowed common bile duct at approx 4 o'clock, a narrowed intra-hepatic duct in centre-screen at approx 12 o'clock, and general beading within all the ducts).
During this procedure, they can insert a small balloon and inflate it to open the narrowed ducts, or they can install a 'stent' to keep 'dominant strictures' open for a period of weeks to months.
It's normally a day-procedure that does not require an overnight stay, however it IS invasive and may leave you quite sore in the hours afterwards. Patients tolerance to surgery and pain-killers differ wildly. You may find that a short-stay is necessary.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (Cole-Angio-Pancrea-Togrophy).
And here's you thinking 'Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis' was a mouthful eh ?
An ERCP is a procedure usually performed under general anaesthetic, where the doctor inserts a flexible tube (scope) down your throat, past your stomach and then injects a 'dye' into your bile ducts. X-ray imaging reveals the damage for all to see.
(See pic on the left ... Notice the narrowed common bile duct at approx 4 o'clock, a narrowed intra-hepatic duct in centre-screen at approx 12 o'clock, and general beading within all the ducts).
During this procedure, they can insert a small balloon and inflate it to open the narrowed ducts, or they can install a 'stent' to keep 'dominant strictures' open for a period of weeks to months.
It's normally a day-procedure that does not require an overnight stay, however it IS invasive and may leave you quite sore in the hours afterwards. Patients tolerance to surgery and pain-killers differ wildly. You may find that a short-stay is necessary.