Clinical characteristics of choledocholithiasis combined with periampullary diverticulum and influencing factor analysis for difficult cannulation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopan-creatography: a report of 1 920 cases / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of choledocholithiasis com-bined with periampullary diverticulum and influencing factor for difficult cannulation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 1 920 patients who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis in 15 medical centers, including the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, et al, from July 2015 to December 2017 were collected. There were 915 males and 1 005 females, aged (63±16)years. Of 1 920 patients, there were 228 cases with periampullary diverticulum and 1 692 cases without periampullary diverticulum. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients with choledocholithiasis; (2) intraoperative and postoperative situations of patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis; (3) influencing factor analysis for difficult cannulation in patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) or M( Q1, Q3), and com-parison between groups was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. The Logistic regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients with choledocholithiasis. Age, body mass index, cases with complications as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diameter of common bile duct, cases with diameter of common bile duct as <8 mm, 8?12 mm, >12 mm, diameter of stone, cases with number of stones as single and multiple were (69±12)years, (23.3±3.0)kg/m 2, 16, (14±4)mm, 11, 95, 122, (12±4)mm, 89, 139 in patients with choledocholithiasis combined with periampullary diverticulum, versus (62±16)years, (23.8±2.8)kg/m 2, 67, (12±4)mm, 159, 892, 641, (10±4)mm, 817, 875 in patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diver-ticulum, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=?7.55, 2.45, χ2=4.54, t=?4.92, Z=4.66, t=?7.31, χ2=6.90, P<0.05). (2) Intraoperative and postoperative situations of patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. The balloon expansion diameter, cases with intraoperative bleeding, cases with hemorrhage management of submucosal injection, hemostatic clip, spray hemostasis, electrocoagulation hemostasis and other treatment, cases with endoscopic plastic stent placement, cases with endoscopic nasal bile duct drainage, cases with mechanical lithotripsy, cases with stone complete clearing, cases with difficult cannulation, cases with delayed intubation, cases undergoing >5 times of cannulation attempts, cannulation time, X-ray exposure time, operation time were 10.0(range, 8.5?12.0)mm, 56, 6, 5, 43, 1, 1, 52, 177, 67, 201, 74, 38, 74, (7.4±3.1)minutes, (6±3)minutes, (46±19)minutes in patients with choledocholithiasis combined with periampullary diverticulum, versus 9.0(range, 8.0?11.0)mm, 243, 35, 14, 109, 73, 12, 230, 1 457, 167, 1 565, 395, 171, 395, (6.6±2.9)minutes, (6±5)minutes, (41±17)minutes in patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diverticulum, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=6.31, χ2=15.90, 26.02, 13.61, 11.40, 71.51, 5.12, 9.04, 8.92, 9.04, t=?3.89, 2.67, ?3.61, P<0.05). (3) Influencing factor analysis for difficult cannulation in patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. Results of multivariate analysis showed total bilirubin >30 umol/L, number of stones >1, combined with periampullary diverticulum were indepen-dent risk factors for difficult cannulation in patients with periampullary diverticulum who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis ( odds ratio=1.31, 1.48, 1.44, 95% confidence interval as 1.06?1.61, 1.20?1.84, 1.06?1.95, P<0.05). Results of further analysis showed that, of 1 920 patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis, the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis was 17.271%(81/469) and 8.132%(118/1 451) in the 469 cases with difficult cannulation and 1 451 cases without difficult cannula-tion, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=31.86, P<0.05). In the 1 692 patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diverticulum, the incidence of postopera-tive pancreatitis was 17.722%(70/395) and 8.250%(107/1 297) in 395 cases with difficult cannula-tion and 1 297 cases without difficult cannulation, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=29.00, P<0.05). In the 228 patients with choledocholithiasis combined with peri-ampullary diverticulum, the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis was 14.865%(11/74) and 7.143%(11/154) in 74 cases with difficult cannulation and 154 cases without difficult cannulation, respectively, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=3.42, P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary divertioulum, periampullary divertioulum often occurs in choledocholithiasis patients of elderly and low body mass index. The proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is high in choledocholithiasis patients with periampullary diverticulum, and the diameter of stone is large, the number of stone is more in these patients. Combined with periampullary diverticulum will increase the difficult of cannulation and the ratio of patient with mechanical lithotripsy, and reduce the ratio of patient with stone complete clearing without increasing postoperative complications of choledocholithiasis patients undergoing ERCP. Total bilirubin >30 μmol/L, number of stones >1, combined with periampullary diverticulum are independent risk factors for difficult cannulation in patients of periampullary diverticulum who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis.

Impact of Periampullary Diverticulum on ERCP Performance: A Matched Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Periampullary diverticulum (PAD) is frequently encountered during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and has been associated with stone formation in the bile duct. The effects of PAD on the ERCP procedure have been often debated. We aimed to compare the therapeutic success of ERCP between patients with PAD and matched controls. METHODS: We reviewed all ERCPs with findings of PAD in a national database (n=1,089) and compared them with age- and gendermatched controls in a 1:3 fashion (n=3,267). Demographics, endoscopic findings, visualization of main structures, and therapeutic success rates were compared between groups. Secondary analysis compared PAD cases and controls who had gallstone disease. RESULTS: The average cohort age was 68.4±14.3 years and 55.1% were male. ERCP success was similar in both groups, and no significant inter-group differences were found in the multivariate analysis. The presence of PAD did not affect the rates of sphincterotomy or visualization of main biliary structures. Secondary analysis showed similar success rates for gallstone removal between patients with PAD and controls. CONCLUSIONS: PAD may not be considered a hinderance to ERCP success. Further research is needed to determine the best approach to cannulate the ampulla and provide endoscopic therapy for different subtypes of PAD.

A study on periampullary diverticula 6 years ERCP experience from a referral centre

Introduction: Periampullary diverticula (PAD) are mucosal outpouchings commonly situated on the medial aspect of second part of duodenum; usually within 2-3 cm of the ampulla of vater. PAD are usually asymptomatic incidental findings during side viewing scopy. We aimed to analyze the influence of PAD in the management of patients who underwent ERCP during past 6 years in our centre. Materials and methods: Patients between the ages of 13 and 74 with the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary diseases who underwent ERCP at Institute of medical gastroenterology, Madras Medical College from January 2012 to December 2017 were taken into account for retrospective analysis. We assessed and compared ERCP results in patients with and without PAD. Results: A total of 3412 patients underwent ERCP that of these 197(5.77%) patients had PAD. Among the 3412 cases , the incidences of PAD in patients age group less than 50 years was 2.6% and age group more than 50 years was 8.1%(P<0.001). Successful biliary cannulation was achieved in 79.18% (n=156) of patients with PAD and 93.1% of patients of patients without PAD (P<0.001). Of that in patients with PAD, for 28.93 %( n=57) cases underwent precut needle papillotomy. The papilla Rabindranath Eswaran, Premkumar Karunakaran, Allwin James, Venkateswaran Arcot Rajeswaran, Rajkumar Solomon. A study on periampullary diverticula – 6 years ERCP experience from a referral centre. IAIM, 2018; 5(6): 20-26. Page 21 was undetectable in 6 cases with PAD. Incidence of PAD was higher in choledocholithiasis group (9.2% vs 4.1%, p=0.003), but in incidence of CBD stricture had no difference. Complete clearance of CBD stones was achieved lesser in patients with PAD (72.4% vs 86.8% P=0.02). Conclusion: The frequency of PAD increases with age and occurs more in choledocholithiasis cases. Our experience showed decreased rate of cannulation success with PAD, increased difficulty in cannulation and decreased rate of successful stone retrieval.

Influence of Periampullary Diverticulum on Common Bile Duct Stone / 胃肠病学

Background:With the progress and widely application of endoscopic techniques,the prevalence rate of periampullary diverticulum (PAD)is increasing in recent years. However,the results of studies investigating the correlation of PAD and its types with common bile duct (CBD)stone are different. Aims:To investigate the influence of PAD and its types on CBD stone. Methods:A total of 1524 consecutive inpatients who underwent diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP for pancreatobiliary diseases from Jan. 2014 to Dec. 2016 at the General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Region of Chinese PLA were enrolled and divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of PAD. Patients in PAD group were further classified into 3 subgroups by the papilla's location with respect to the diverticulum. Their clinical data were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results:The proportion of elderly patients (≥60 years old)in PAD group was 82. 2% (310 /377),which was significantly higher than that in non-PAD group [60. 8% (697 / 1147),P < 0. 05]. The prevalences of CBD stone,gallstone associated with CBD stone,post-cholecystectomy and recurrent CBD stone were higher and the size of CBD stone was larger in PAD group than in non-PAD group (P all < 0. 05). Furthermore,stratified analysis revealed that the CBD stone was more prevalent and the size of stone was larger in type Ⅱ PAD than in type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ PAD (P <0. 05), while recurrent CBD stone was more frequent in type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ PAD than in type Ⅲ PAD (P < 0. 05). Multivariate analysis indicated that the elderly and PAD were the risk factors for recurrence of CBD stone,and cholecystectomy was a protective factor. Conclusions:The elderly is predisposed to PAD. PAD and its types are associated with the development and recurrence of CBD stone. CBD stone is more prevalent in patients with PAD especially type Ⅱ PAD. The size of stone is larger and the post ERCP recurrence rate is high in type Ⅱ PAD.

Successful Management of Periampullary Diverticular Bleeding with Hemoclipping Using Side-viewing Endoscope during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography / 대한소화기학회지

Periampullary diverticulum is commonly found during endoscopy and can occur at any age although its prevalence increases with age. Periampullary diverticular bleeding is a rare and difficult to diagnose during clinical practice because of its unique appearance and location. This often can lead to massive bleeding and interfere with adequate bleeding control. Endoscopic management on duodenal diverticular bleeding is limited compared to colonic diverticular bleeding due to lack of experience. Herein, we report a case of active bleeding from a periampullary diverticulum during bile duct stone extraction diagnosed by side-viewing endoscope and successfully controlled using hemoclips without any complications.

Recurrent Common Bile Duct Stone and Endoscopic Treatment after Endoscopic Papillary Large Balloon Dilatation with Minor Endoscopic Sphincterotomy / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies have reported the potentials of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation (EPLBD) with minor endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for the complete removal of common bile duct (CBD) stone in the high risk groups. However, there have been no reports about the recurrence of the CBD stone after EPLBD with minor EST. The aim of this study was to evlauate the recurrence of CBD stone after EPLBD with minor EST. METHODS: A total of 1,036 patients who underwent endoscopic treatment due to CBD stones at Pusan University Hospital were enrolled. The patients were classified into two groups: those who underwent EPLBD with minor EST (group 1) and those who underwent EST treatment (group 2). We investigated clinical factors and recurrence rate between two groups. RESULTS: The recurrence of CBD stone occurred in total of 74 patients (7%), and the recurrence rates of CBD stone were 21/321 (6.5%) in Group 1 and 53/715 (7.4%) in Group 2. There were no difference in the presence of diverticulum and the number and size of recurrent CBD stone between the two groups. In case of diverticulum existence, recurrence rates were 12/158 (7.6%) in Group 1 and 21/101 (20.8%) in Group 2. When compared to the case of no diverticulum existence (Group 1: 9/163 [5.5%], Group 2: 32/614 [5.2%]), the recurrence rate of CBD stone was significantly lower if treated after EPLBD with minor EST (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CBD stone that recurs after going through EPLBD with minor EST can be successfully removed with an endoscopic treatment. The recurrence of CBD stone was especially lower in cases with periampullary diverticulum and treated with EPLBD with minor EST. Our results will be helpful in endoscopic retreatment and preventing the recurrence of CBD stone.

A Case of Narrow Opened Priampullary Diverticular Bleeding with Diagnostic Difficulty / 대한소화기내시경학회지

A duodenal diverticulum is most common in the medial aspect of the second portion of the duodenum and rarely causes symptoms. An obstruction, bleeding, perforation, jaundice and pancreatitis are uncommon complications of a duodenal diverticulum. Bleeding from the periampullary diverticulum should be considered in the diagnosis of a patient who presents with upper gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown origin. The second portion of the duodenum is sometimes difficult to observe entirely from the tangent line with the use of a forward-viewing endoscope. The diagnosis and treatment of periampullary diverticular bleeding may be achieved more easily by use of a side-viewing endoscope. We report here a case of narrow opened periampullary diverticular bleeding diagnosed by the use of a side-viewing endoscope with difficulty

Risk Factors for Recurrent Bile Duct Stones after Endoscopic Clearance of Common Bile Duct Stones / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to explore the risk factors contributing to the recurrence of common bile duct (CBD) stones after successful endoscopic stone clearance, focused on the anatomical factors of CBD and presence or absence of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)/Rowachol(R) medication. METHODS: One hundred fourteen patients who underwent CBD stone(s) extraction by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy at our institution from August 2004 to January 2007 were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses for the risk factors including the distal CBD angle, length of the distal CBD arm and medication such as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and/or Rowachol(R) for recurrent CBD stone(s) were performed. RESULTS: The recurrence of CBD stone(s) was found in 22 (19.3%) patients. On univariate analysis, presence of pneumobilia, presence of type 1 or type 2 periampullary diverticulum, mechanical lithotripsy and multiple sessions of ERCP were significant contributors for the recurrence of CBD stone(s). On multivariate analysis, the presence of type 1 periampullary diverticulum (OR 7.90, 95% CI: 1.56-40.16) and multiple sessions of ERCP (OR 7.56, 95% CI: 2.21-25.87) were significant contributors. Acute distal CBD angulation (< or =135degrees), shorter distal CBD arm (< or =36 mm), technical difficulty of CBD stone(s) clearance, and the prescription of UDCA and/or Rowachol(R) were not significantly associated with the recurrence of CBD stone(s). CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence of CBD stone(s) was more commonly found in the patients group with type 1 periampullary diverticulum and multiple sessions of ERCP. Therefore, patients with these risk factors should be on regular follow up.

Analysis of Endoscopic Sphincterotomy in Patients with Periampullary Diverticulum: according to the Location of the Diverticulum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) involves more complications and medical problems when a periampullary diverticulum (PD) is present. The data about EST for treating a small population of PD patients is controversial and any recent data is rare. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of performing EST for a large population of PD patients. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 178 patients with PD and 178 patients without PD and these patients underwent EST for removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones during the years 2003~2005 at Dong-A University Hospital. We classified PD patients, according to the location of the ampulla and diverticulum, into 3 groups and we considered removal of the CBD stones as success. RESULTS: The success rates of EST in the two groups were similar: 91.0% in the PD group and 98.8% in the control group (p=0.0341). Failures were more frequently observed when the papilla was located inside of the diverticulum than for the other locations (p=0.0341). The complications cholangitis and pancreatitis after EST were similar for the two groups, but bleeding was more frequently observed in the PD group (p=0.0067). CONCLUSIONS: More skill for performing EST is needed to prevent bleeding in PD patients and it is more difficult to remove CBD stones when the papilla was located inside of the diverticulum.

Analysis of Risk Factors Associated with the Severity of Biliary Pancreatitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate the risk factors for biliary pancreatitis according to severity. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed 58 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the management of acute biliary pancreatitis between November 2001 and June 2004. The severity of pancreatitis was classified as severe or mild pancreatitis according to the Glasgow scale. Multiple clinical and radiological factors were analyzed for a relationship with the severity of pancreatitis and coexisting biliary pathology. RESULTS: Ten patients (17%) had severe pancreatitis (the SP group) and the remaining 48 patients (83%) had mild pancreatitis (the MP group). The diameter of the common bile duct CBD) and cystic duct, and the number and the size of gallstones were not significantly different between the two groups of patients. The number of patients without a periampullary diverticulum in the SP group (90.0%) was significantly higher than in the MP group (39.6%). Most of the SP patients (90.0%) had CBD stones (<5 mm) or CBD sludge, but the prevalence of CBD stones (<5 mm) or CBD sludge was lower in the MP group (54.2%, p=0.04). The absence of a periampullary diverticulum was identified as a risk factor according to severity by the use of logistic regression analysis (odds ratio=25; p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The development of severe biliary pancreatitis was influenced by risk factors such as a CBD stone less than 5 mm or sludge and the absence of a periampullary diverticulum.

A Stent-Guided Sphincterotomy in Patients with a Difficult Periampullary Diverticulum or with a Billroth-II Gastrectomy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with a congenitally or surgically altered anatomy such as a large diverticulum in which an ampullary orifice exists or a Billroth-II gastrectomy, have an increased complication rate after endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) compared to normal anatomies. An experience involving a stent-guided sphincterotomy using an endoprosthesis is herein reported. METHODS: 10 patients with a Billroth-II gastrectomy and 9 patients with a large diverticulum received a stent-guided EST. In the diverticula cases, all the ampullary orifices were located either inside the diverticulum or in an unusual position. All patients had common bile duct stones and symptoms of cholangitis. After a 0.035 inch guide wire was inserted through the side-viewing duodenoscope, a 10 Fr. endoprosthesis (MTW, Germany) was inserted and a needle-knife sphincterotome was introduced. In patients with a Billroth-II anatomy, the incision was made from the papillary orifice of the 12 o'clock position toward 6 o'clock. In patients with periampullary diverticula, the incision was made with sweeps of the needle-knife in a 6 to 12 o'clock direction. The cautery current was applied to the mucosa along the stent and the stent was retrieved by a polypectomy snare through the biopsy channel without removal of an endoscope. RESULTS: Among the 19 patients, the guide wire and stent insertion were possible in all except one patient due to the inability of selective cannulation. An EST was performed in all patients after stent insertion. There were no serious complications during and after the stent-guided EST except for two minor bleedings which were treated with a coagulation current using the needle-knife. Consequently, complete endoscopic stone removal was achieved in all patients including three patients in whom a mechanical lithotriptor was needed. CONCLUSIONS: In stent-guided EST, the stent not only guides the adequate direction of the incision but also allows a controlled incision under a favorable visual field. Therefore, blind cutting and exploration during EST can be avoided and successful EST is possible even in difficult situations such as that created by an altered anatomy.

Incidence and Significance of Periampullary divertucula at Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVES: Diverticula on the second part of the duodenum have a 1-5% incidence in barium studies reports. They have been associated to : choledocholithiasis, biliary dysfunction, acute pancreatitis, diverticulitis, duodencolic fistula, bleeding, malabsorption, and bowel obstruction. With forward viewing endoscope diverticula are not easy to see but with side viewing scope are commonly seen and widely accepted as a cause of difficult cannulation and/or sphinterotomy. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of periampullary diverticula and to see whether our results are in accordance wtih above statements included in difficult cannulation and/or sphincterotomy at endoscopic retropgrade cholangiography (ERCP) in retrospectively examine our own series. Also to examine their association with biliary and pancreatic diease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and thirty one consecutive ERCP reports were reviewed with special reference to the following : sex, age, presence of duodenal diverticula, difficulty of cannulation and/or sphinterotomy. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients (24%) had one or more periampullary diverticula. Age and sex made no difference. Thirty-two (10.3%) had a difficult or unsuccessful cannulation and only five of those patients (1.6%) had periampullary diverticulum (p<0.001). But the failure rate of large sphincterotomy was more common in patient with periampullary diverticum (73.5%) than without diverticulum (24.6%) (p<0.001). The disease of the patients who had diverticulum, gallstone is the most frequent incidence (77.2%). Diverticulum was more frequently found in choledocholithiasis patients (45.3%) than studied patients (24%). CONCLUSION: Periampullary diverticula are a common finding during ERCP and less likely to cause a unsuccessful cannulation, but the cause of unsuccessful sphincteromy.

Association of Periampullary Diverticula with Primary Choledocholithiasis but not with Secondary Choledocholithiasis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several endoscopie studies found an association between periampuilary diverticula and biliary calculi, however, the results of the reports are inconsistent when considering the anatomical location of the stones. The aims of our study are to evaluate the association between periampullary diverticula and gallstones according to their location iand to clarify the origin of the common bile duct stones by analyzing the composition of the stones. METHODS: During a period of 10 months, 611 of 632 consecutive cases of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) were prospectively enrolled. The data of periampullary diverticula and gallstones were analyzed according to the location of the stones. The stones available were initially grouped on the basis of their grass marphology and cross-sectional appearance, and finally analyzed by quantitative infrared spectroscopy. RESULTS: Diverticula were found in 165 of 611 cases(27.0%) and there was a positive relationship between age and duodenal diverticula(p<0.01). Considering the location of the gallstones, this significance was found only in patients with common bile duct stones not associated with gallbladder or intrahepatic duct stones(p<0.001). Of these 40 cases with gallstones only in common bile duct, 32 had a history of cholecystectomy with more than a two year asymptomatic period following their surgery, and on analysis, most of the stones(30/36, 83%) were classified as brown pigment stones. Therefore, these stones were presumed to be primary common bile duct stones. On the contrary, the common bile duct stones with associated gallbladder or intrahepatic stones were identical with their paired gallbladder or intrahepatic stones in gross and cross-sectional appearance and chemical composition. They were assumed to be secondary common bile duct stones and the difference in prevalence of calculi according to the presence of diverticula was not significant. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of gallstones was significantly higher in periampullary diverticula, and considering the location and the origin of the gallstones the association between diverticula and gallstones is significant in patients with primary common bile duct stones but not with the secondary ones.

Clinical Characteristics of Periampullary Diverticulum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Background/Aims: Periampuilary diverticulum has been known to be associated with various bilio-pancreatic diseases such as choledocholithiasis and disturbs performing selective cannuiation of ERCP and EST. This present study aims to investigate anatomical morphology of periampullary diverticulum and to determine whether periampullary diverticulurn influences difficulty and complication performing of ERCP and to analyse the relationship between periampullary diverticulum and choledocholithiasis. Methods: We reviewed records of chart and diverticular pictures in 1389 cases of underwent ERCP and evaluated the incidence, size, direction, location of periampullary diverticulum and its influence against performing of ERCP and investigated its relationship with bilio-pancreatic diseases such as choledocholithiasis.(continue..)