What is an endoscopic ultrasound?
An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive procedure Dr. Singh uses instead of exploratory surgery to investigate, diagnose, and treat the digestive and respiratory systems.
In a normal endoscopy, a tiny camera on the end of a flexible tube called an endoscope is used to see the inside of your digestive system, but a EUS uses an endoscope that emits high-frequency sound wave instead. This allows Dr. Singh to see more than just what would be in the camera’s line of sight.
The EUS also allows Dr. Singh to perform a fine-needle aspiration to biopsy tissue and fluid or to perform simple treatments like draining pseudocysts.
What is an endoscopic ultrasound used to diagnose?
Endoscopic ultrasound is most often used to diagnose or examine:
- Cancer of the colon, esophagus, lung, pancreas, stomach, and rectum
- Lymphoma
- Barrett's esophagus
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic cysts
- Bile duct stones
- Sarcoidosis
Endoscopic ultrasounds can also be used to treat pseudocysts and to guide the precise delivery of medication injections into the pancreas.
Preparation for Endoscopic Ultrasound
- Continue all medications prior to the exam unless otherwise directed by Dr.Singh
- If you take any blood-thinners such as Aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin or others, please discuss this with Dr.Singh as he may need to stop these prior to your procedure
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight
- The morning of your procedure, you may take all of your usual medications unless otherwise directed by Dr.Singh.
- You will be sedated during your procedure. Because of this you will not be able to drive after the procedure and will need to arrange for someone to drive you home.
- If you are having a Rectal Endoscopic Ultrasound, you will need to clean out your colon prior to the procedure. The morning prior to your exam you must start a Clear Liquid Diet You will need to take a laxative preparation the day prior to the exam. Dr.Singh will determine which laxative preparation is best for you.
During Endoscopic Ultrasound
Prior to the procedure, you’ll receive an intravenous sedative that will make you feel sleepy and help you relax. Throughout the exam, your heart rate and blood pressure will be carefully monitored. Once the sedative has taken effect, Dr. Singh will insert a specially equipped endoscope with a small ultrasound transducer on the tip, into your mouth and down into the esophagus. From there he will examine the esophagus, stomach, intestine, and neighboring organs using the ultrasound. Dr. Singh may pump air into the stomach and intestine during the procedure. Depending on complexity (and on whether additional procedures such as polyp removal, a biopsy or a fine needle aspiration are performed during your Endoscopic Ultrasound), the exam usually takes from 45-90 minutes.
After Endoscopic Ultrasound
You’ll be recovering for about an hour from the effects of the sedative. You will need a ride back home and some rest. You may experience some temporary discomfort. Bloating and cramps are a common reaction to the air pumped into your stomach during Endoscopic Ultrasound. If you have a sore throat, gargling with salt water will relieve it. A light meal and non-alcoholic drinks are fine after the procedure.
