The Role of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Management of Pancreatic Diseases

Abstract

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is an effective platform for a variety of therapies in the management of benign and malignant disease of the pancreas. Over the last 50 years, endotherapy has evolved into the first-line therapy in the majority of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the pancreas. As this field advances, it is important that gastroenterologists maintain an adequate knowledge of procedure indication, maintain sufficient procedure volume to handle complex pancreatic endotherapy, and understand alternate approaches to pancreatic diseases including medical management, therapy guided by endoscopic ultrasonography, and surgical options.

Keywords: Acute pancreatitis; Autoimmune pancreatitis; Chronic pancreatitis; Pancreatic cancer; Pancreatic divisum; Pancreatic duct leaks; Pancreatic duct strictures; Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.