HJBR Jul/Aug 2024

CHILDREN’S HEALTH COLUMN CHILDREN’S HEALTH Rendezvous Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Procedure Leads to Lifesaving Results in Two-Year-Old Patient EARLIER this year, two-year-old Xinovia was seen by a pediatric hospital in Gaines- ville, Florida for stomach pain, nausea, and no appetite. She was diagnosed with se- vere pancreatitis thought to be related to gall stones. Xinovia began to develop a large belly and fluid buildup where it shouldn’t be, which became concerning for her care team. An imaging study revealed she need- ed a time-sensitive endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pro- cedure that the hospital in Florida did not have the capabilities for, so they began seeking a children’s hospital to transfer her to with specialized capabilities to handle her case. ERCP is a procedure that combines en- doscopy and fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat issues with the biliary and pancre- atic ductal systems. ERCP can help iden- tify problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas, such as stones. Due to her small size and standard adult sized instruments, Xinovia’s case would be incredibly challenging. After being turned down by children’s hospitals across the