Endoscopic Ultrasound
When it comes to detecting different types of cancer such as esophageal, gastric, rectal and pancreatic cancers, often the best option was exploratory surgery. Now, physicians at Northwest Medical Center are using a minimally invasive option called endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to detect cancer and diseases of internal organs and evaluate masses in the lining of the GI tract or in enlarged stomach folds.
Why EUS?
EUS may be used to stage a variety of cancers including esophageal, stomach, rectum, pancreas or lung cancer. It can also help locate common bile duct stones and assess Barrett's esophagus. EUS may be used for therapeutic applications such as tissue sample collection, cyst drainage or biopsy of lymph nodes making it a minimally invasive alternative to exploratory surgery.
What is Involved in the EUS Exam?
An EUS study involves a thin, flexible tube (or endoscope) which is placed into your mouth to access your digestive tract. The endoscope has an ultrasound transducer that uses high-frequency sound waves bounced off the body's internal tissues. These echoes are converted into a computerized picture and displayed on a monitor. While conventional endoscopy only provides a view of the innermost lining of the digestive tract, the addition of ultrasound allows the physician to see beyond that wall to visualize all five layers of the GI tract as well as surrounding tissue and organs. It is a minimally invasive means for biopsy. You will be sedated for the procedure. They exam may take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes depending upon the specifics of your case.
Your physician will tell you how to prepare for the exam but it typically requires fasting at least six hours prior to the procedure. Since you will have been sedated, you should have someone available to drive you home.
Who Performs the EUS?
The EUS study will be conducted by a gastroenterologist (GI physician) specially trained to perform the EUS procedure. The GI physician will communicate closely with any other specialists involved in your care (such as your oncologist or general surgeon) as to the results of your exam and recommended next steps.
What are the Risks of an EUS Exam?
While an EUS is typically a safe study, any procedure carries some risk no matter how minimal. With EUS, those risks include bleeding (if a fine-needle aspiration is performed), infection, perforation of the throat or intestinal wall and pancreatitis if a biopsy has been performed on the pancreas. Your GI physician will explain all of the risks associated with your procedure.
Scheduling
Your primary care physician or specialist will refer you to a GI physician who can perform the EUS exam.