Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) allows the gastroenterologist to obtain high-resolution images of the patient’s digestive organs and surrounding blood vessels and tissue. A traditional endoscopy procedure is combined with an ultrasound imaging procedure.
An endoscope with an ultrasound probe on the tip is first inserted through the patient’s mouth and guided to the area of examination.
WHY IS AN ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND PERFORMED?
Screening for pancreatic cancer is one of the main uses of endoscopic ultrasound. Esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, and other tumors can also be found from the high-quality images.
Tissue and lymph node biopsies can also be taken with the endoscope in order to help diagnose and stage malignancies.
The ability of endoscopic ultrasound to produce images of layers of tissue helps in the diagnosis of abnormal tissue that is covered by healthy tissue, otherwise missed by traditional endoscopy.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE PROCEDURE
Patients are sedated before the procedure, so no discomfort is associated with an endoscopic ultrasound.
The gastroenterologist will give the patient instructions for food and drink that can be consumed the day before the procedure.