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What is Endosonography & Endoscopic Ultrasound?
Endosonography is a procedure during which an endoscope is inserted into the body. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument that features a light and a lens for viewing. A probe at the top of the endoscope is employed to bounce high-energy sound waves off internal organs to form an image, also called Endoscopic Ultrasound.
Ultrasonography of internal organs using an ultrasound machine mounted on a fiberoptic endoscope. In endosonography, the transducer converts electronic signals into acoustic pulses or continuous waves and acts also as a receiver to detect reflected pulses from within the organ.
An audiovisual-electronic interface converts the detected or processed echo signals, which undergo the electronics of the instrument, into a form that the technologist can evaluate.
The procedure shouldn't be confused with ENDOSCOPY which employs a special instrument called an endoscope. The "endo-" of endosonography refers to the examination of tissue within hollow organs, with regard to the standard ultrasonography procedure which is performed externally or transcutaneously.
Indications for Endoscopic Ultrasound
The indications for EUS are often divided into several categories:
- staging of GI malignancies
- evaluating pancreaticobiliary disease
- evaluating subepithelial abnormalities
- evaluating extraluminal abnormalities
- staging of lung cancer
- therapeutic EUS
When Is Endoscopic Ultrasound Used?
Endoscopic ultrasound may be used to:
- Evaluate stages of cancer
- Evaluate chronic pancreatitis or other disorders of the pancreas
- Study abnormalities or tumors in organs, including the gallbladder and liver
- Study the muscles of the lower rectum and anal canal to work out reasons for fecal incontinence (accidental bowel leakage)
- Study nodules (bumps) in the intestinal wall
When does your doctor suggest an Endoscopic Ultrasound?
EUS is suggested to urge a more detailed examination of your alimentary canal, including your esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum, and for organs near the alimentary canal, including the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
It can help your doctor diagnose causes of abdominal pain or abnormal weight loss. For patients with cancer, EUS helps determine the extent of the disease’s development.
EUS may also be used for:
- Diagnosing cancers in the digestive tract (may involve tissue sampling)
- Evaluating pancreatic diseases
- Diagnosing problems within the bile ducts and gallbladder
- Characterizing lesions or bumps on the walls of the intestines
What Happens During an Endoscopic Ultrasound?
A person undergoing an endoscopic ultrasound is given anesthesia before the procedure. After sedation, the doctor inserts an endoscope into the person's mouth or rectum. The doctor will observe the within of the intestinal tract on a television monitor and therefore the ultrasound image on another monitor. Additionally the sound wave testing may be used to locate and help take biopsies (small pieces of tissue to examine by microscope). The entire procedure usually takes 30 to 90 minutes and therefore the patient usually can head home an equivalent day of the procedure.
What are the risks of Endoscopic Ultrasound?
It is very rare that there are any complications during or after an endoscopic ultrasound. According to the National Pancreas Foundation the risk of complications is less than 1%. Because the patient is sedated, there's risk for cardiac or pulmonary complications related to the utilization of anesthesia. In only a few cases, patients may have bleeding or infection caused by a tear or puncture to the alimentary canal. If a patient is in danger of infection the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic.
What are the advantages of an Endoscopic Ultrasound?
The benefits of this procedure over standard abdominal ultrasound scan, MRI or CT scan are well recognised and it's used preferentially to realize tissue and accurately understand the actual stage of cancer. The organs which will be seen and simply sampled include the oesophagus or gullet, lymph nodes, the stomach, liver, adrenals and pancreas gland. It is very useful for confirming gallstone disease, underlying liver disorders and pancreatic abnormalities including cancer. The procedure lasts about half-hour and you'll receive a report at the top informing you of all the results.
Dr Chirayu Chokshi, Dr. Dhaval Dave & Dr. Darshak Shah together carry an experience of 27 years in this field & they have done more than 35000 endoscopy procedures.
Dr. Chirayu Chokshi & team is an expert in performing Endosnography/Endoscopic Ultrasound in Vadodara, Gujarat. For more information, visit our website www.gastrovadodara.com or call us on 9081333897 / 9825795257 to book an appointment.
