ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY IN PEDIATRIC-PATIENTS WITH BILIARY DISORDERS

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has long been us ed in children. The usefulness of ERCP in paediatric patients with var ious biliary disorders, however, has not been well documented. Thirty- two sessions of ERCP performed in 29 paediatric patients ranging in ag e from 1 month to 15 years were evaluated. Endoscopic retrograde chola ngiopancreatography was to confirm diagnosis or to obtain detailed inf ormation about their pancreaticobiliary system. Cannulation was succes sful in all patients. Opacification of the biliary tracts was also suc cessful in all except for three patients with extrahepatic biliary atr esia. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was assessed to b e successful in making a differential diagnosis of neonatal hepatitis from extrahepatic biliary atresia, and in having a confirmed diagnosis of anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system asso ciated with choledochal cyst. The procedure was also useful for obtain ing detailed information on the pancreaticobiliary system in the other children. No accidents occurred during the endoscopic procedures in a n ii of the paediatric patients. When a confirmed diagnosis or detaile d information is needed in paediatric patients with biliary disorders, ERCP is a useful and safe technique.