Endoscopic ultrasound examination (EUS) (synonym: endoscopic ultrasound; endosonography) is a diagnostic method used in gastroenterology, primarily for suspected tumor diseases. In this procedure, an endoscopy (reflection) of the upper digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, and duodenum) or the lower digestive tract (rectum and rectum) is technically combined with an endosonography (ultrasound examination).
Indications (areas of application)
- Cholelithiasis (gallstones)
- Chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
- Gallbladder disease
- Biliary tract tumors
- Esophageal cancer (cancer of the esophagus)
- Gastric carcinoma (stomach cancer)
- Pancreatic carcinoma (pancreatic cancer)
- Rectal carcinoma (rectal cancer)
Furthermore, endosonography can be used to perform fine needle biopsies.
The surgical procedure
Endosonography is a relatively new method similar to gastroscopy (gastroscopy) that uses ultrasound to visualize the wall structures of each section of the upper digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, and duodenum) to accurately detect changes. This method has its place mainly in tumor diagnostics, as the method better depicts the deep extent of pathological (diseased) processes.
The examination is usually performed on an outpatient basis and while the patient is lying down in analgosedation (painless twilight sleep). Endoscopes are used, at the end of which is an ultrasound probe.
Possible complications
Upper digestive tract
- Injury or perforation (piercing) of the wall of the esophagus (food pipe), stomach, or duodenum (duodenum), and injury to the larynx with subsequent peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum)
- Injuries to the walls of the stomach and intestines, which lead to peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum) only after a few days.
- More severe bleeding (eg, after tissue removal).
- Hypersensitivity or allergies (e.g., anesthetics/anesthetics, medications, etc.) may temporarily cause the following symptoms: Swelling, rash, itching, sneezing, watery eyes, dizziness or vomiting.
- After the reflection may experience difficulty swallowing, sore throat, mild hoarseness or flatulence. These complaints usually disappear after a few hours by themselves.
- Tooth damage caused by the endoscope or the bite ring are rare.
- Infections, after which severe life-threatening complications concerning heart, circulation, respiration, etc. occur, are very rare. Similarly, permanent damage (eg, paralysis) and life-threatening complications (eg, sepsis / blood poisoning) after infections are very rare.
Lower digestive tract
- Injury or perforation (puncture) of the intestinal wall with injury to adjacent organs.
- Injury to the sphincter (sphincter muscle) with the endoscope (very rare).
- Injuries to the intestinal wall that lead to peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum) only after a few days.
- More severe bleeding (eg, after polyp removal or tissue removal).
- Accumulation of gases in the intestine possible, which can lead to colicky pain.
- Hypersensitivity or allergies (e.g., anesthetics/anesthetics, dyes, medications, etc.) may temporarily cause the following symptoms: Swelling, rash, itching, sneezing, watery eyes, dizziness or vomiting.
- Infections, after which severe life-threatening complications concerning heart, circulation, breathing, etc. occur, are very rare. Similarly, permanent damage (eg, paralysis) and life-threatening complications (eg, sepsis / blood poisoning) after infections are very rare.
