Diagnostic cholangiopancreatography.

As in recent years, the articles on diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) published between July 2001 and June 2002 again reflect a defensive attitude and are mainly concerned with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and the complications associated with the new imaging method. Diagnostic ERCP is declining in importance and has held its position mainly due to new advances in tissue sampling, pressure measurement, and the use of echo probes and miniature endoscopes. Problems of training in ERCP have still not yet been resolved, due to the contradictions inherent in low case loads, the desire to offer a wide spectrum of training, and issues of quality assurance.