Cholangioscopy

Abstract

To evaluate the bile and pancreatic ducts, physicians have relied on fluoroscopic imaging. This can be done percutaneously, directly in the operating room, or endoscopically. However, even with improvements in these technologies, an endoscopist is still looking at two-dimensional shadows of a three-dimensional structure. To better evaluate the endolumenal aspects of the bile and pancreatic ducts, direct evaluation of the biliary ducts can be performed with specialized endoscopes. This technology has evolved substantially.