Endoscopic Ultrasound

Some digestive health conditions may improve on their own. But if symptoms worsen or persist, it may be time to contact your doctor for further evaluation. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is one of the diagnostic imaging tests that can detect a range of digestive conditions.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract contains all the digestive system’s major organs responsible for breaking down food into nutrients to nourish the body. However, disorders affecting the digestive system can range from mild to life-threatening. Some symptoms may indicate a digestive health problem, so don’t delay care.

What Is Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)?

An EUS is a procedure that our gastroenterologists at Abrazo Digestive Specialists can perform to view, evaluate and diagnose conditions in the GI tract and nearby organs. It is minimally invasive and uses a combination of:

  • An endoscope – a thin, flexible tube with a camera.
  • An ultrasound – a small device attached to the end of the endoscope that sends sound waves to produce images of the tissues, organs and blood vessels.

The EUS device can be introduced through the mouth or anus, depending on which body area needs to be examined. An EUS can detect cancer in the GI tract, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other causes of abdominal pain. There are two EUS types:

  • Upper EUS – for examining the upper digestive tract:
    • Esophagus, stomach and small intestine
    • Pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder and other nearby organs
    • Lymph nodes and blood vessels
  • Lower EUS – for looking into the lower digestive tract:
    • Anal sphincter
    • Rectum and colon
    • Lymph nodes and blood vessels

One of the most common reasons for an EUS referral is to further evaluate abnormal results from prior diagnostic imaging exams such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scan or abdominal ultrasound. A patient with abnormal findings from blood tests, such as elevated pancreatic enzymes and liver function tests, may also be referred for an EUS. Other reasons include:

  • Certain types of abdominal pain.
  • Dilated pancreatic or bile duct.
  • Swollen pancreas.
  • Suspected blockage or stone presence in the pancreatic or bile duct.
  • Swallowing disorders.
  • To locate cysts or tumors in the pancreas.
  • Assess cancerous growths.
  • Drain abnormal fluids collecting in the abdomen.
  • Treat the liver and pancreas with precise medicine delivery.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions for EUS preparation. These will depend on whether you will be getting an upper or lower endoscopy, and may include any or a combination of:

  • Fasting
  • Liquid diet
  • Bowel preparation

The goal is to ensure your GI tract is clear of food and waste so a gastroenterologist can clearly see the interior. Tell your doctor about your allergies and all the supplements and medications you are currently taking. Your doctor will instruct you whether you can take some of these medications or not. Ensure you have a responsible adult to help you get home after your procedure since anesthesia from the EUS may make you drowsy.

An EUS may generally follow these steps:

  1. Fluids and medications will be passed through an intravenous (IV) line attached to your arm. These will make you drowsy and relaxed.
  2. The endoscope will be inserted into your mouth for upper endoscopy or rectum for lower endoscopy. For an upper EUS procedure, an anesthetic will be applied to your throat first to make the endoscope more tolerable.
  3. Your doctor will look at ultrasound images on a monitor to examine your GI tract for abnormalities.
  4. If needed, the doctor may collect a small tissue or cell sample. If an abnormal fluid collection is found, the doctor may have to drain it.
  5. The endoscope will be removed slowly and anesthesia will be stopped. 

The sedative should wear off for up to an hour. It is normal to experience a sore throat or swollen lips after an upper endoscopy, and bloating, gas or cramping after a lower endoscopy. These discomforts should go away within 24 hours after your EUS. Patients can usually resume their normal activities the next day.

Call a doctor if you experience:

  • Blood in stool
  • Difficulty swallowing 
  • Fever 
  • Pain or difficulty during a bowel movement
  • Persistent or severe pain in the chest or abdomen
  • Shortness of breath
  • Vomiting or nausea

Recommendations

If you are worried about recurring symptoms affecting your digestive system, now is an excellent time to speak with one of our digestive health specialists in Arizona for proper diagnosis, evaluation and treatment. Please don’t delay care. We are always here to help take care of your digestive health.

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