Radiation exposure in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Radiation exposure was studied on the basis of x-ray screening time and spotfilms taken in 3590 patients undergoing ERCP. Factors influencing radiation exposure in diagnostic procedures were the age of the patient, target duct system and gastroenteric anastomosis, while duodenal diverticula proved to be of no significance. In endoscopic sphincterotomy average fluoroscopic time was about one minute longer. In contrast to diagnostic ERC, there was an appreciable reduction of radiation exposure in endoscopic sphincterotomy with time, reflecting the growing experience of the endoscopic team. The data presented are within the acceptable range for conventional radiological Gl-examinations.