CPT® Code 43271

Deleted

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); with endoscopic retrograde balloon dilation of ampulla, biliary and/or pancreatic duct(s)

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a specialized procedure that combines endoscopy and fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the biliary and pancreatic ducts. This procedure is particularly focused on the Ampulla of Vater, which is the anatomical site where the pancreatic duct and the common bile duct converge in the duodenum. During ERCP, an endoscope—a flexible tube equipped with a camera and light—is inserted through the mouth, advancing through the esophagus and stomach, and into the duodenum. The goal is to reach the Ampulla of Vater, where a smaller catheter is introduced through the endoscope. This catheter is used to cannulate the Ampulla of Vater, allowing for the injection of contrast dye into the biliary and pancreatic ducts. The introduction of contrast dye is crucial as it enables visualization of the ducts on x-ray images, helping to identify any obstructions, strictures, or other abnormalities. In cases where there is a narrowing of the duct (stricture), a balloon catheter is utilized. This catheter is advanced over a guidewire to the site of the stricture, where it is inflated to dilate the narrowed area, thereby facilitating improved flow through the ducts. This combination of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques makes ERCP a valuable procedure in managing various biliary and pancreatic disorders.