title: ERCP in the assessment of patients with post-cholecystectomy syndrome: benefits and limitations.
abstract: The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy yielded by endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in a group of 41 patients presenting with persistent or recurrent abdominal pain and/or cholestasis following cholecystectomy. Each patient had previously undergone, without success, a different combination of non-invasive tests. Cannulation with adequate opacification of at least one duct was achieved in all patients. Aetiologically diagnostic findings obtained with ERCP were as follows: normal 36.8%, choledocholithiasis 34%, benign biliary stenosis 9.8%, chronic pancreatitis 4.9%, pancreatic carcinoma 2.4%, ampullary carcinoma 2.4%, cholangiocarcinoma 2.4%, miscellaneous 7.3%. ERCP gave a final diagnosis in 26 patients (63%) and in all the cases presenting with cholestasis. ERCP plays a first-line role in the diagnostic assessment of patients with the post-cholecystectomy syndrome. However, there is still a considerable part of this population in whom ERCP does not contribute to a diagnosis.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marotta
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hada
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morello
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ragno
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ono
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012008:Recurrence