Endoscopic Ultrasound
Endoscopic Ultrasound
By Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) combines Endoscopy and ultrasound in order to obtain images and information about the digestive tract and surrounding tissues and organs. This technique allows for more accurate and more detailed images than the ones obtained by traditional ultrasound.
EUS entails the utilization of a long flexible tube that is inserted via the mouth or the rectum to visualize the digestive tract. A small transducer is installed on the tip of the endoscope. By inserting the endoscope into the upper or the lower digestive tract, the physician can obtain high quality ultrasound images. EUS can also obtain information about the layers of the intestinal wall as well as adjacent areas such as lymph nodes and the blood vessels.
In addition, EUS is also utilized to study the flow of blood inside the blood vessels using Doppler ultrasound, and to obtain tissue samples by passing a special needle, under ultrasound guidance, into enlarged lymph nodes or suspicious tumors. The tissue or cells obtained by the needle in the exam can be sent to a pathologist for further evaluation.
Indications for EUS include staging of gastrointestinal malignancies including esophageal, pancreatic and rectal cancer. EUS is also indicated for evaluation of pancreatic cyst or mass with fine needle aspiration, and evaluation of intestinal submucosa lesions.
