Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

Advances in endoscopic technology have led to a variety of new and exciting applications. Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is now the most accurate imaging technology for staging tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. With traditional endoscopy, we were able to view the innermost lining of the digestive tract. However, with the addition of ultrasound technology, we can visualize and see your internal organs and examine your esophageal and stomach linings as well as the walls of your upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. For patients, it offers a far less invasive approach to cancer staging. EUS allows for fine-needle aspiration capabilities, which has led to increased diagnostic accuracy in cancer staging. It is a less invasive option that may eliminate the need for staging surgery and/or CT guided biopsies. The ability to obtain tissue samples allows us to further assess digestive and lung diseases. Because we are able to take an ultrasound picture of organs and tissues beyond the lining of the GI tract, EUS has been shown to have better accuracy in diagnosing pancreatic tumors than a CT scan and a more comprehensive evaluation can be made when a patient presents with one of the more common problems in the GI system, like abdominal pain: we can see small stones/ debris in the bile duct, not detected with other imaging studies. We can find and biopsy abnormal lymph nodes close to the GI tract. Under mild sedation, this outpatient procedure is very safe and takes about 20-40 minutes. During the procedure, a small, flexible ultrasound device is mounted on the tip of an endoscope. An endoscope is a small, lighted, flexible tube with a camera attached. When the endoscope enters the upper or the lower digestive tract, we are able to see high-quality ultrasound images of organs. With high quality pictures, we can then determine the size and location of a tumor and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes, blood vessels or other structures. When it comes to your digestive system, we are experienced and expertly trained to care for you. Please feel free to schedule a consultation. I can be reached at Portneuf Medical Group Gastroenterology at 208-232-6616.