Apollo Hospitals International, Ahmedabad

ERCP

ERCP stands for 'endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography'. The study is carried out using Endoscope, which is a thin, flexible telescope. It is passed through mouth, into oesophagus and down towards stomach & duodenum. The endoscope contains fibre optic channels which allows light to shine down so doctor can see inside.

Cholangio-pancreatography

It means x-ray pictures of bile and pancreatic ducts. These ducts do not show up very well on ordinary x-ray pictures. However, if dye that blocks x-rays is injected into these ducts then x-ray pictures will show up these ducts clearly. This is done via a plastic tube in a side channel of endoscope.

If any of the following occur within 48 hours after an ERCP, consult a doctor immediately.

• Abdominal pain
• Fever (raised temperature).
• Difficulty in breathing
• Vomiting blood
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of pancreas) sometimes occurs after ERCP

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy allows doctor to look inside entire large intestine. The procedure allows physician to see things such as:

• Inflamed tissue
• Abnormal growths
• Ulcers

It is most often used to look for early signs of cancer in colon & rectum. It is also used to look for causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits as well as to evaluate symptoms like:

• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Weight loss

Endoscopy:

• It is used when recommended a gastrointestinal (GI) exam
• Use of monitoring equipment which provides maximum accuracy, quality & safety
• Procedures performed utilizing services of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) to provide intravenous sedation to make procedures as comfortable as possible for each patient