The abbreviation for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, an X-ray procedure used for examining the biliary system and the pancreatic duct.
An endoscope is passed down the oesophagus, through the stomach, and into the duodenum.
A catheter is passed through the endoscope into the common bile duct and pancreatic duct.
A contrast medium is introduced through the catheter to make the pancreatic duct and ducts of the biliary system visible on X-rays.
In some cases, it may be possible to relieve a blockage due to a gallstone during the procedure.
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