EUS

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is an endoscopic technique that utilizes an endoscope with an ultrasound probe at its tip. This technique allows the endoscopist to see beyond the endoscopic image provided by standard endoscopes and see the organs adjacent to the GI tract such as pancreas, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts.

Common indications of EUS are:

Precise measurements and staging of the GI tract cancers (esophagus, stomach and rectum)
Evaluation of the depth of invasion of precancerous and early cancers of GI tract before endoscopic resection.
Sampling and biopsy of organs adjacent to the GI tract that are hard to reach by other methods such as pancreas, liver and bile ducts.
Evaluation of ongoing abdominal pain of unknown origin
Providing pain relief by nerve block

EUS is an outpatient procedure with rare serious complications. Sore throat and mild self-limited abdominal discomfort are the most common adverse complications. This procedure is generally scheduled for one hour and is always done under sedation. Patients are discharged home within an hour after the procedure. If any biopsies are done, the results generally will be available within a week after the procedure and will be sent to the referring physician office to share with you. Patients generally can return to normal daily activities the day after the procedure.

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