Endoscopic Ultrasound: Effective Tool for Early Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Diseases

What is Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)?

Endoscopic ultrasound is a minimally invasive procedure performed by a gastroenterologist, who uses a combination of endoscopy and ultrasound to generate detailed internal images of the digestive tract and surrounding tissues, including the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, and nearby lymph nodes.

Why do I need an EUS? – Indications of EUS

Diagnostic EUS

Evaluation of pancreatic disease
- Pancreatic cysts, masses
- Chronic pancreatitis
Evaluation of bile ducts, gallbladder and liver
- Masses, cysts, tumors, and bile duct stones
Local-regional staging of gastrointestinal malignancy
- Esophageal, stomach, small bowel, rectal cancers
- Ampullar and duodenal adenomas
- Pancreatic cancer
Determination of the origin of submucosal lesions of the gastrointestinal tract
Tissue diagnosis using Fine needle biopsy (FNB) for extraluminal lesions and/or lymph nodes

Therapeutic EUS

Biliary, pancreatic duct, gallbladder drainage: EUS-guided drainage
Gastric outlet obstruction: EUS-guided gastroenterostomy
Abdominal pain management: Celiac plexus block and neurolysis
Drainage of pancreatic fluid collections
Alternative treatment in pancreatic mass, neuroendocrine tumor: EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation

Safety of EUS

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is very safe and has few risks when performed by gastroenterologists specially trained in this procedure.

Bleeding, perforation, pancreatitis

Anesthesia-related adverse event: aspiration, allergy

Preparing for an EUS

Essential steps are required to prepare for a safe EUS procedure. These are general instructions. Be sure to follow any instructions given to you by your doctor.

Pre-procedural planning

Anesthesia preprocedural assessment

Anticoagulants and other medication review

Laboratory tests and imaging

Consent: Doctor informs about the details of the procedure, its benefits, and risks

Eating plan before procedure

Do not eat any solid food after midnight the night before your test.
Do not drink any liquids or water for three hours before your test.

Due to the sedative medication given, you should refrain from driving, working, or making important decisions after the test.

Post-preprocedural care

Recovery room: After the procedure, you will be monitored in a recovery room until the effects of the medicine subside and you become more alert.

Due to the sedative medication given, you should refrain from driving, working, or making important decisions after the test.

Dietary advice: Start with clear liquids initially and progress to a regular diet as tolerated.

For more information, please contact

Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, Vejthani Hospital
Call: (+66)2-734-0000 Ext. 2960, 2961
English Hotline: (+66)85-223-8888

Medically Reviewed by

DR. JUKKAPHOP CHAIKAJORNWAT

Internal Medicine

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

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