1. < Digestive Health

Dilated pancreatic duct- CT first or just ECRP

Posted by askingquestions45 @askingquestions45, Jul 6 9:45am

I did an ultrasound of my abdomen. I have a dilated pancreatic duct 2cm-. They suspect a gallstone. Should I do a CT scan or have the ECRP endoscopy. GI doctor said to get endoscopy. I'm nervous about it because of risks. Primary doctor recommended the same but I could do a CT scan with contrast to see if it is a gallstone or what. I also fasted improperly before and pretty sure it is from doing that.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 6 11:35am

Hello @askingquestions45 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I can understand your concern about the results of ultrasound.

You say that you are concerned about having the ECRP endoscopy, "...because of the risks." I'm not sure what risks you are concerned about, however, I would discuss your concerns about the risks with your GI specialist. Here is a link to some general information about the procedure. from the Cleveland Clinic website. I'd encourage you to become familiar with the ways that the test can be used to clear up any questions about the dilated duct that was found on the ultrasound.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4951-ercp-endoscopic-retrograde-cholangiopancreatography
What is your greatest concern about this procedure?

REPLY
1 reply
askingquestions45 | @askingquestions45 | Jul 6 1:20pm
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @askingquestions45 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I can understand your concern about the results of..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @askingquestions45 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I can understand your concern about the results of ultrasound.

You say that you are concerned about having the ECRP endoscopy, "...because of the risks." I'm not sure what risks you are concerned about, however, I would discuss your concerns about the risks with your GI specialist. Here is a link to some general information about the procedure. from the Cleveland Clinic website. I'd encourage you to become familiar with the ways that the test can be used to clear up any questions about the dilated duct that was found on the ultrasound.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4951-ercp-endoscopic-retrograde-cholangiopancreatography
What is your greatest concern about this procedure?

Jump to this post

I am just asking if a CT scan would be helpful before I get the ECRP and maybe I might not need it. my GI doctor said they would not recommend the CT scan. is there a reason why I shouldn't get the CT scan first? it seemed my GI doctors said that that is something they would not recommend and if I did want a CT scan that I would be referred back to my primary doctor. my greatest concern is perforation. i'm just having a hard time processing a risk of that even though it is said to be low. it's just hard for me to mentally deal with it. I'd feel better if it was just certain that this is necessary like this is a gallstone and the ultrasound summary said that it is probably a gallstone.

REPLY
2 replies
askingquestions45 | @askingquestions45 | Jul 6 1:30pm
In reply to @askingquestions45 "I am just asking if a CT scan would be helpful before I get the ECRP..." + (show)
@askingquestions45

I am just asking if a CT scan would be helpful before I get the ECRP and maybe I might not need it. my GI doctor said they would not recommend the CT scan. is there a reason why I shouldn't get the CT scan first? it seemed my GI doctors said that that is something they would not recommend and if I did want a CT scan that I would be referred back to my primary doctor. my greatest concern is perforation. i'm just having a hard time processing a risk of that even though it is said to be low. it's just hard for me to mentally deal with it. I'd feel better if it was just certain that this is necessary like this is a gallstone and the ultrasound summary said that it is probably a gallstone.

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I do see that having barium in the intestines from a recent barium procedure which would include a CT scan on the John Hopkins website. the ECRP would be in the middle of August.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 6 4:03pm
In reply to @askingquestions45 "I am just asking if a CT scan would be helpful before I get the ECRP..." + (show)
@askingquestions45

I am just asking if a CT scan would be helpful before I get the ECRP and maybe I might not need it. my GI doctor said they would not recommend the CT scan. is there a reason why I shouldn't get the CT scan first? it seemed my GI doctors said that that is something they would not recommend and if I did want a CT scan that I would be referred back to my primary doctor. my greatest concern is perforation. i'm just having a hard time processing a risk of that even though it is said to be low. it's just hard for me to mentally deal with it. I'd feel better if it was just certain that this is necessary like this is a gallstone and the ultrasound summary said that it is probably a gallstone.

Jump to this post

@askingquestions45

Only you can decide on the risks you are willing to take, @askingquestions45. Since your GI specialist is recommending the ECRP, you need to take that into consideration.

I have had over 20 upper endoscopies over my lifetime, due to a rare cancer in the upper digestive tract. I have decided that, for me at least, it is worth the risk. I'm not a medical professional, just a patient like yourself. Therefore, I cannot say whether another CT scan would be a good thing for you or not, that is a decision that you would need to make for yourself.

Keep in mind, though, your doctor's recommendation.

REPLY
1 reply
askingquestions45 | @askingquestions45 | Jul 6 7:01pm
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@askingquestions45 Only you can decide on the risks you are willing to take, @askingquestions45. Since your..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@askingquestions45

Only you can decide on the risks you are willing to take, @askingquestions45. Since your GI specialist is recommending the ECRP, you need to take that into consideration.

I have had over 20 upper endoscopies over my lifetime, due to a rare cancer in the upper digestive tract. I have decided that, for me at least, it is worth the risk. I'm not a medical professional, just a patient like yourself. Therefore, I cannot say whether another CT scan would be a good thing for you or not, that is a decision that you would need to make for yourself.

Keep in mind, though, your doctor's recommendation.

Jump to this post

thank you for sharing. i appreciate it.

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jkarmazin | @jkarmazin | Jul 7 8:31am

I believe that the only way they can see if there is something in the duct, gallstone, tumor or nothing is to do the ERCP.

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