| Theme |
Diagnosis of Biliary Tract Cancer -- Present Status and Perspective |
| Title |
The Role of ERCP in the Diagnosis of Biliary Tract Cancer |
| Author |
Hiroshi Kakutani |
Department of Endoscopy, The Jikei University of Medicine |
| Author |
Keiichi Ikeda |
Department of Endoscopy, The Jikei University of Medicine |
| Author |
Shoryoku Hino |
Department of Endoscopy, The Jikei University of Medicine |
| Author |
Yujiro Uchiyama |
Department of Endoscopy, The Jikei University of Medicine |
| Author |
Kazuki Sumiyama |
Department of Endoscopy, The Jikei University of Medicine |
| Author |
Hisao Tajiri |
Department of Endoscopy, The Jikei University of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
The role of ERCP in the diagnosis of biliary cancer is discussed herein. MRCP images in patients with suspected pancreatobiliary disease were reviewed and the results compared with those of ERCP as the reference, in blind fashion. Although the accuracy of MRCP in qualitative diagnosis is not satisfactory at present diseases were detected with high accuracy. Further improvements in MRCP technology are anticipated to change the role of ERCP in diagnosing of pancreatobiliary disease. As to the therapeutic ERCP, the results of our technique for decompressing biliary obstruction are discussed. The efficacy of endoscopic biliary decompression appears to depend largely on the patient's characteristics, as well as the structure and material of the stents. The role of palliative endoscopy is becoming increasingly important in our aging society. The treatment should be selected based on evidence obtained in a well-designed clinical study. |