Endoscopic Retrograde (ERCP)

The practice of gastroenterology not only involves diagnosing and treating illnesses of the esophagus, stomach and colon, but also includes treating patients for illness in the pancreas, gall bladder, liver and their ducts. ERCP enables visualization of the biliary ducts to screen for and diagnose both tumors and stones. The procedure can also be used to remove stones that have lodged in the common bile duct, and to place stents—small metal inserts—which will keep ducts open and functioning.