Endoscopic Ultrasound Test and Procedure
Overview
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) combines endoscopy and ultrasound to provide clear images of the digestive tract and nearby organs. During the procedure, a healthcare provider inserts a thin, flexible endoscope into the digestive tract. A small ultrasound device at the tip sends high-frequency sound waves to create detailed internal images.
EUS allows doctors to view organs such as the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, lungs, and surrounding lymph nodes. This helps identify a range of diseases and other medical conditions.
Key Features of Endoscopic Ultrasound:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Uses | Imaging, diagnosing, and guiding procedures |
| Organs Examined | Digestive tract, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, lungs, lymph nodes |
| Tools Used | Endoscope, ultrasound device, fine-needle |
Sometimes, the doctor uses a fine needle through the endoscope to collect tissue or fluid samples—a technique called fine-needle aspiration or fine-needle biopsy.
Reasons for the Procedure
Doctors use EUS to examine internal structures that are difficult to assess with standard imaging methods. It helps detect disease, support diagnosis, and guide treatment. EUS offers high-resolution views of organs and tissues close to the digestive tract and allows for precise sampling or therapeutic procedures. Common reasons for performing EUS include:
- Evaluating tumors or growths in the pancreas, esophagus, stomach, or rectum.
- Staging cancers by checking how far they have spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs.
- Investigating unexplained symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, or abnormal imaging results
- Diagnosing diseases of the bile ducts and gallbladder, such as blockages or stones.
- Assessing chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cysts.
- Performing guided biopsies of suspicious areas using fine-needle aspiration.
- Delivering treatments, such as draining fluid collections or injecting medication into targeted sites.
EUS offers detailed information to support accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, often reducing the need for more invasive procedures.
Risks
A trained gastroenterologist performs endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) as a safe procedure, but certain risks can occur. Complications rarely happen, but they are possible, especially when fine-needle aspiration is involved. Some of the potential problems include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Tearing of the organ wall (perforation)
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Severe vomiting
To make it easier to understand, here is a summary table of risks and related symptoms:
| Risk | Possible Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Bleeding | Vomiting blood, black or very dark stool |
| Infection | Fever, chills, persistent pain |
| Perforation | Sharp or constant chest or stomach pain |
| Pancreatitis | Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting |
Following preparation instructions carefully helps lower these risks. Anyone who experiences ongoing pain, fever, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms after EUS should contact their healthcare provider promptly or seek emergency care.
How You Prepare
Before an EUS, careful steps help make the process safe and effective:
- Fasting Guidelines: Doctors usually ask patients not to eat or drink anything for at least six hours before the test. This keeps the stomach empty and allows for a better view during the procedure.
- Colonic Cleaning (If Needed): If the doctor performs endoscopic ultrasound through the anus, the colon must be clear. Doctors may ask patients to follow a clear liquid diet and use a special solution or laxatives the day before.
- Medicine Adjustments: Patients should share a list of all regular prescription and nonprescription medications, including herbal products and supplements. Healthnile may advise stopping some medicines before the procedure, especially those that affect bleeding or sedation.
- Arrival and Support: Doctors often use sedation or anesthesia during the test. Because these medicines can cause sleepiness or loss of coordination, patients need someone to drive them home and stay with them for several hours after.
What to Expect During the Test
Doctors usually ask patients to lie on their left side before the test begins. The doctor then inserts a thin, bendable tube through the patient’s mouth or anus, depending on the area that needs to be examined. A small ultrasound device at the tip of the tube sends out sound waves to create images of the inside of the body.
To ensure comfort, the doctor provides either anesthesia or a sedative. People who receive anesthesia are not awake, while those given a sedative may feel mild discomfort or drowsiness. Many feel relaxed or fall asleep. Some procedures may involve additional tools passed through the tube, such as a needle for fine-needle aspiration (FNA) to collect tissue samples.
EUS can also include certain therapeutic procedures, such as fluid drainage or medication delivery. Most EUS tests last less than an hour, though some may take longer. After the test, many people experience a mild sore throat, which can be relieved with throat lozenges.
Findings
A medical expert with training in endoscopic ultrasound reviews the images taken during the procedure. If a biopsy or tissue sample is collected using fine-needle aspiration, a pathologist examines these samples to check for abnormal or diseased cells. The healthcare team then discusses the results with the patient.
