Association between volume of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at an academic medical center and use of pancreatobiliary therapy.

Background & Aims: Many advances have been made in pancreatobiliary imaging and endoscopy techniques. However, little is known about trends in use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study that analyzed data from 33,596 ERCPs performed at Indiana University Medical Center from 1994 to 2009.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and manometry findings in 1,241 idiopathic pancreatitis patients.

Background: 10-30% of patients with pancreatitis are classified as idiopathic after the initial evaluation. Our aim was to assess the diagnostic yield of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and sphincter of Oddi manometry in patients with idiopathic pancreatitis in a tertiary referral center.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective study analyzing the ERCP and manometry results of 1,241 patients who were classified as having idiopathic pancreatitis based upon their initial evaluation.

Efficacy of diclofenac in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis in predominantly high-risk patients: a randomized double-blind prospective trial.

Background: Pancreatitis is one of the major complications of ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy. It has been shown that nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs are potent inhibitors of phospholipase A(2), activity which is increased in pancreatitis. A previous study showed reduction of post-ERCP pancreatitis with administration of rectal diclofenac.

Pancreatic duct stent placement prevents post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction but normal manometry results.

Background: Placement of a pancreatic duct (PD) stent reduces post-ERCP pancreatitis rates in high-risk patients. Patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) who are found to have normal manometry results (SOM) are also at high risk for this complication.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether PD stent placement reduces pancreatitis rates in this patient population.

Risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis: a prospective multicenter study.

Objectives: Pancreatitis is the most common and serious complication of diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP. The aim of this study is to examine the potential patient- and procedure-related risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis in a prospective multicenter study.

Methods: A 160-variable database was prospectively collected by a defined protocol on patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP at 15 centers in the Midwest Pancreaticobiliary Group and participating in a randomized controlled study evaluating whether prophylactic corticosteroids will reduce the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Effectiveness of a new long cytology brush in the evaluation of malignant biliary obstruction: a prospective study.

Background: Cancer detection rates with biliary brush sampling remain disappointingly low. A low cellular yield is often the limiting factor in making a diagnosis of malignancy. The new Cytolong brush (Cook Endoscopy, Winston-Salem, NC) is 3 mm in diameter, 5 cm long, with stiffer bristles oriented at 45 degrees on a 7F sheath.

Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in children: a large series report.

Objectives: Our goal is to evaluate the indications, findings, therapies, safety, and technical success of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in children.

Methods: Our database was searched for patients 17 years of age or younger undergoing ERCP between January 1994 and March 2003. Additional information was obtained by chart review.

Oral allopurinol does not prevent the frequency or the severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Background: Pancreatitis is the most common major complication of ERCP. Efforts have been made to identify pharmacologic agents capable of reducing its incidence and severity. The aim of this trial was to determine whether prophylactic allopurinol, an inhibitor of oxygen-derived free radical production, would reduce the frequency and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Endoscopic snare papillectomy for tumors of the duodenal papillae.

Background: Tumors of the major and the minor duodenal papillae can be malignant or premalignant, and traditionally are treated by surgical excision. This study evaluated the safety and the outcome of endoscopic snare resection of such tumors.

Methods: All patients with tumors of the major or the minor papilla treated by endoscopic snare resection over a 10-year period (1994-2003) were identified from an ERCP database.