endoscopic retrograde chol·an·gio·pan·cre·atog·ra·phy -kə-.lan-jē-ə-.paŋ-krē-ə-'täg-rə-fē, -.pan- n radiographic visualization of the pancreatic and biliary ducts by means of endoscopic injection of a contrast medium through the ampulla of Vater called also endoscopic cholangiopancreatography
* * *
(ERCP) a combination of retrograde and transhepatic cholangiography, done to demonstrate all portions of the biliary tree; it is performed by cannulation of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct through the papilla of Vater using a flexible fiberoptic endoscope with retrograde injection of a radiopaque medium.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography radiograph demonstrating the biliary tree.
Medical dictionary. 2011.