Endoscopic Ultrasound

A thin, flexible tube (echoendoscope) will be passed through your mouth to the area to be examined. An ultrasound transducer is present at the tip of the instrument. The ultrasound component will then produce ultrasound waves that create detailed visual images of the area to be studied.

Endoscopic ultrasound is used to evaluate an abnormality, such as a growth, that was detected at a prior endoscopy or by x-ray or scan. EUS provides a detailed picture of the growth, which can help your doctor determine its nature and decide upon the best treatment. If the growth arises from the wall of the digestive tract, EUS can help determine which layer in the wall the growth arises from. In some circumstances a thin needle can be passed through the endoscope into the growth to suck up (aspirate) cells. This is known as Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA).

In addition, EUS can be used to diagnose diseases of the pancreas, bile duct and gallbladder when other tests are inconclusive.

EUS helps determine the extent of certain cancers of the digestive and respiratory systems. EUS allows your doctor to accurately assess the cancer’s depth and whether it has spread to adjacent lymph glands or nearby vital structures such as major blood vessels. In some patients, EUS can be used to obtain tissue samples to help your doctor determine the proper treatment (FNA).

For EUS of the upper gastrointestinal tract, you should have nothing to eat or drink, not even water, usually six hours before the examination. Your doctor will tell you when to start this fasting.

Please advise us of all medications prior to your procedure.

You will receive twilight sedation. You will most likely begin by lying on your left side. After you receive sedatives, the procedure will commence. The instrument does not interfere with your ability to breathe. The actual examination generally takes between 30 to 60 minutes.

You will receive sedatives so you won’t be allowed to drive after the procedure until the next day, even if you don’t feel tired. You should arrange for a ride home. You must have someone stay with you at home after the examination as the sedatives could affect your judgment and reflexes for 24 hours.