Abstract
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
play a critical role in the diagnosis and management of benign and malignant pancreatobiliary
diseases. In the last several years, role of ERCP has evolved from just a diagnostic
procedure to mostly a therapeutic procedure. It plays a key role in the diagnosis
of indeterminate biliary strictures and evaluation of bile leaks. Therapeutic ERCP
utilizes various techniques for the extraction of biliary and pancreatic stones, management
of bile leaks, and the treatment of malignant and benign strictures. EUS plays a central
role in tissue acquisition for diagnostic purposes. Therapeutic applications of EUS
have significantly increased in the recent years and include management of pancreatic
fluid collections, pancreatic necrosis, drainage of the biliary obstruction, gall
bladder drainage, and EUS-assisted ERCP. These procedures have good efficacy and acceptable
side effect profile when performed by expert endoscopists at tertiary care medical
centers.
Keywords
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography - endoscopic ultrasound - biliary interventions
- pancreatic disease
