Endoscopic treatments for complicated biliary disease in children

Abstract

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are frequently employed in the management of biliary disease. With growing utilization in the pediatric population mirroring the rise in gallstone-related disease, it is important to have improved access to pediatric-specific advanced endoscopic care. Multi-center collaborations have now provided more robust data on the safety and efficacy of ERCP in pediatric patients. EUS remains primarily diagnostic in evaluating biliary pathology but is slowly emerging as a therapeutic modality following the adult experience with biliary drainage procedures. Access to pediatric-specific endoscopic equipment remains a challenge in this population. In this review, we provide an overview of endoscopic treatment options for biliary disease in children, discussing the most relevant recent literature while providing approaches to some of the most encountered complex biliary diseases.

Keywords: Advanced endoscopy; Biliary pancreatitis; Choledocholithiasis; ERCP; EUS; Interventional endoscopy.