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Brian Vastag

JAMA. 2002;287:832.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

An NIH-appointed panel is predicting that diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ECRP) will soon be eclipsed by less invasive, high-tech imaging tools. At the same time, the panel endorsed ECRP as a valuable treatment tool.

Developed 30 years ago, ECRP combines x-rays and an endoscope, sometimes with dye injections, to find problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. The uncomfortable procedure requires sedation and confers a 5% to 7% risk for pancreatitis.

According to the panel's report, ECRP can be effective as part of treatment for gallstones, bile duct stones, recurrent pancreatitis, and pancreatic pseudocysts. The panel members also recommended ECRP for diagnosis of ampullary, pancreatic, and biliary cancers. However, they warned physicians to avoid using the procedure for evaluating and managing nonspecific abdominal pain. They specifically ruled out ECRP for cases in which patients, especially women, do not have identifiable stones or strictures or abnormal bilirubin . . . [Full Text of this Article]