Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A review of the rewards and indications

Indications for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) have been poorly defined. We studied the symptoms in 161 patients who underwent ERCP and evaluated the results from four groups of indications: cholestasis, pancreatitis, suspected carcinoma of the pancreas, and pain of unknown etiology. The likelihood of finding abnormalities is discussed.