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Endoscopic Retrograde
Cholangiopancreatography is an examination which uses an endoscope
to view the bile ducts and the pancreas. A contrast medium is
injected into the bile duct and pancreas and then an X-ray is
taken.
Preparing for the exam:
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Patient must refrain from eating or
drinking at least 6 hours before the exam |
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Patient should inform the physician
of any disease or conditions that they have such as
allergies, asthma, heart disease, and history of
allergies to specific medicine and seafood. |
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Physician will administer medication
to let the patient sleep during the exam so that the
patient does feel any
pain. | |
During the exam:
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Once the patient is asleep, the
physician inserts a flexible endoscope into the patient'
s esophagus, stomach, and duodenum until it reaches the
spot where the ducts of the biliary tree and pancreas
open into the duodenum. Then a special contrast medium
is injected in order to check for the narrowing of ducts
and presence of gallstones. The physician is able to
insert an instrument into the endoscope and remove the
gallstone or relieve the
obstruction. | | |
