Endoscopic ultrasounds and ERCP are two of the best ways to examine the inner workings of the digestive system in the least invasive ways possible. If you need an endoscopic ultrasound or ERCP, or if you have any questions about the procedures, call the office of Hardeep M. Singh, MD, in Orange County, California, or make an appointment online. Dr. Singh also provides care for the communities of Irvine, Newport Beach and Orange.
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.
Endoscopic ultrasound is most often used to diagnose or examine:
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
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.