What is Endoscopic Ultrasound

Dr.Sharad Malhotra, 3 mins read

Endoscopic Ultrasound (Endoscopy Ultrasonography) is a minimally invasive procedure to evaluate any gastrointestinal tract or lung diseases. Endoscopic ultrasound also helps: 

• To check the symptoms of pain in the abdomen and lungs. 
• To find if the patient has cancer of the esophagus, lungs, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, colon, or rectal region. 
• To see if there are any findings such as lymphoma, Bile duct stones, Sarcoidosis, Neuroendocrine tumors, pancreatitis, and Barrett’s esophagus.
• To determine the stage of cancer. Whether it is esophageal, gastric, rectal, pancreatic, or any other cancer. 
• To check any findings like cysts developing in the pancreas.  
• To see if there is a collection of fluid in the abdomen or to determine the drainage of pseudocysts. 

With the help of high-frequency sound waves, Endoscopic Ultrasound produces high-quality detailed pictures of the inner lining of the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and chest, and other organs near the gastrointestinal tract such as the Lungs, Liver, Gall Bladder, and Pancreas. 

How is an endoscopic ultrasound performed?

Endoscopy Ultrasonography is performed by a highly-trained specialist. The procedure will include an endoscope that has a built-in miniature ultrasound probe with a thin and flexible tube. The doctor will pass this endoscope by way of your mouth or anus to the area that has to be diagnosed. The doctor will then use high-frequency sound waves to create clear images of the digestive tract. Other pieces of equipment used in Endoscopy are Flexible forceps, Biopsy forceps, Suture removal forceps, and cytology brushes. 

What is the difference between an endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound?

Endoscopy is a procedure that includes the insertion of a probe into a hollow organ to produce detailed images of internal organs and get a clear vision of the linings of the inner walls of the chest, colon, and abdomen, and find any diseases or cysts present in the gastrointestinal tract or lungs, liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Endoscopy can help in looking at the mucosal surface but cannot look beyond the lumen of the organ being examined.

While Endoscopic Ultrasound is a minimally invasive procedure that includes a probe mounted on an endoscope that is inserted into the internal organ through a hollow passage, most commonly to diagnose the upper digestive tract and respiratory system. Gastroenterologists are extensively trained and qualified to do endoscopic ultrasounds. Endoscopic Ultrasound also contains a procedure with fine-needle aspiration, a biopsy procedure in which a fine needle is inserted in the region where the irregular-appearing tissue or body fluid is developing, and a sample is taken to detect conditions of cancer if there is. 

Risks involved in an Endoscopic Ultrasound 

Endoscopic Ultrasound is usually harmless and doctors are very cautious during the procedure. They will inform you about any complications before the ultrasound and you will be with an experienced and skilled team of professionals. There are some risks involved in fine-needle aspiration, but if you follow every instruction of the doctor then the risk is reduced. Chances of having an infection, or tearing in the inner walls of the throat or intestine followed by bleeding or pancreatitis can be there during fine needle aspiration. If the patient experiences fever, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, dark-colored stool, or severe abdominal pain then he should inform the doctor and immediately get shifted to the emergency room.

How to prepare for the Endoscopic Ultrasound?  

• Your doctor will ask you to fast for at least 6 hours because for endoscopic ultrasound empty stomach is required to make the visualization more accurate. 
• Avoid any medications which are used as blood thinners because they will increase the risk of bleeding and in the case of patients who have hypertension or a diabetic condition, the doctors will specifically guide you about the medications. 
• You will have to prepare your rectum for the procedure if it is performed in the rectal area. Before the procedure, you may be asked to be on a liquid diet hours before the endoscopic -ultrasound and to take a laxative or enema to clear the rectum. 
• You may be given sedation for Endoscopic Ultrasound and medication to relax. So, arrange for someone who could drive you home safely after the Ultrasound. 

What are the advantages of Endoscopic Ultrasound? 

Due to the probe or equipment being inside the body right next to your organs the visualization will be very detailed. In Traditional ultrasounds, sound waves might travel from outside the body. 

• Doctors can diagnose the organs, blood vessels, and other irregularities that are difficult to see in endoscopy procedures.
• The patient is not exposed to radiation. 
• Fine needle aspiration is a procedure performed in Endoscopic Ultrasound. The doctor can take fluid or tissue samples. With the help of this procedure, there is no need to perform a separate biopsy procedure.
• Fine needle aspiration is less invasive than a core biopsy where chances of bleeding and tearing are minimal. 

ALSO READ: What is Hepatitis? Understanding its types, causes, symptoms, and treatment options