Understanding EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasonography)

What is an endoscopic ultrasonography procedure?

An endoscopic ultrasonography, or EUS, is a procedure during which a physician is able to examine the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and the linings of the esophagus and stomach. The duodenum, esophagus, and stomach make up the upper gastrointestinal tract while the colon and rectum make up the lower gastrointestinal tract. This procedure can also be used to study other parts of the body such as the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. It is an endoscopic procedure, and the doctor will use a thin and flexible tube with a miniature ultrasound device in order to examine the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. The procedure can provide more information to specialists than imaging tests alone and can be used to investigate the causes of symptoms such as sudden weight loss or abdominal pain. An endoscopic ultrasonography can also be used to further investigate any lesions or lumps in the gastrointestinal tract that have initially been detected with other imaging tests such as CT scans or x-rays. It may also be used for further testing if other tests produce conflicting or inconclusive results. An endoscopic ultrasonography can also be used to examine the stage of certain cancers in the respiratory system or digestive tract, and a biopsy can also be obtained during the procedure.

What is an endoscopic ultrasonography procedure like?

Patients will likely be allowed to continue to take any medications up to the day of the procedure. Patients should inform their doctor of any supplements or medications they are currently taking, and if they have any allergies to medications or materials such as latex. Patients who rely on insulin or take any blood thinners may need to adjust their medications prior to surgery. If the patient receives sedatives, they should not operate a vehicle after the procedure.

Before the procedure begins, the patient’s throat may be sprayed with a local anesthetic. Patients are also likely to receive sedatives for the procedure. Patients undergoing an EUS examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract will likely be lying on their left side for the procedure, and the doctor will insert the ultrasound endoscope through the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach and duodenum. The procedure will last around an hour. Patients who are undergoing an EUS for the lower gastrointestinal tract will also lie on their left side and may be given a sedative. The doctor will then examine the lower gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the treatment required, the procedure can last up to two hours. After the procedure patients will be monitored until any sedatives or medications have worn off, and the patient may feel a bit bloated from the air and water that was introduced during the examination. At a follow-up appointment, the patient will discuss the results of their procedure and any biopsies with their doctor.

Contact the specialists at Granite State Gastroenterology and ask if an endoscopic ultrasonography can help diagnose or treat any of your symptoms.