Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic papillotomy in recurrent pyogenic cholangitis

In recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC), there is primary bacterial cholangitis resulting in the formation of strictures and stones in the intrahepatic as well as the extrahepatic bile ducts. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a very useful investigation in the study of RPC. The location of stones and strictures and the morphology of the bile ducts are well delineated. Moreover, cholangitis liver abscesses and biliary-enteric fistulas, which are frequently encountered in RPC, are demonstrated. ERCP can also be used to differentiate RPC from ascariasis, clonorchiasis, hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, which sometimes have quite similar clinical pictures and can be confused with RPC. ERCP should be performed in every patient with RPC in order to plan surgical treatment. Endoscopic papillotomy (EPT) is indicated in RPC patients with residual common bile duct stones or papillary stenosis, and as primary treatment in selected high-risk patients. More studies are necessary to establish additional indications for EPT.