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Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is endoscopy of the biliary tree and the pancreatic duct. By injection of contrast media, a retrograde image of both structures can be formed on X-ray, facilitating the diagnosis of obstruction, e.g. by gallstones or cholangiocarcinoma.
Sometimes the bile duct sphincter is dilated during an ERCP to allow the easier passage of gallstones.
Potential complications include acute pancreatitis and perforation.
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