Diathermy ERCP: an alternative method for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in jaundiced patients

Standard ERCP was unsuccessful in 5 jaundiced patients. This problem was surmounted in 4 of these patients by endoscopically inducing a small choledochoduodenal fistula through which a catheter could be inserted and diagnostic cholangiograms were obtained. In the fifth patient, the attempt to create a fistula was insufficient, and the contrast material infiltrated the duodenal wall with transient ensuing fever. In subsequent observations, the induced fistulas promptly healed. The method is offered as an alternative procedure when standard ERCP fails.