Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive technique for diagnosing digestive tract, organ, and tissue diseases. The endoscopic ultrasound procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) into the digestive tract and using sound waves to produce images. The procedure itself is fairly brief.

A high-frequency sound wave creates detailed images of the digestive tract, as well as surrounding organs and tissues, such as the lungs, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, and lymph nodes.

A small needle may also be inserted into an endoscopic tube to remove fluid or tissue samples for laboratory analysis. In this procedure, fine-needle aspiration or fine-needle biopsy is performed with the help of a EUS. EUS-guided procedures can also be used to drain fluid from a lesion or inject a drug.

You won’t be conscious during the procedure if you are given anesthesia. The sedative may cause a little discomfort, but most people are asleep or not aware during the procedure if they are given one. During the procedure, you will likely lie on your left side. According to the procedure, the doctor feeds an endoscope through your throat or through your rectum.

An ultrasound transducer is attached to the end of the endoscope. Endoscopes also have channels that pass other instruments during the procedure, such as needles used for biopsies. EUS usually takes less than an hour. There is a possibility that a EUS-guided procedure will take longer. It is possible that you will have a sore throat after an upper EUS procedure. Lozenges may provide relief for sore throats.

Your preparation for a EUS will depend on the specifics of the procedure and any therapeutic treatments you are receiving. Fasting usually begins at midnight before a procedure. You will be able to empty your stomach this way. Your doctor may also need to know about any medications you are taking before the procedure. Before the procedure, it is especially important to stop taking blood-thinning medications. Endoscopic Ultrasound can cause severe bleeding if you are taking these medications. It may be necessary to undergo a cleansing routine to prepare your bowels for a EUS on the rectal area. A liquid laxative is usually taken a day before the procedure, along with a liquid diet.

The endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedure examines the inside of your digestive tract. You can use it to detect pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, and cancer that has spread to other parts of your body. Pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pancreatitis, and other causes of abdominal pain can also be detected with EUS. A EUS procedure can assess damage to tissues following disease or inflammation, determine the spread of cancer, discern how advanced cancer is, drain fluids from cysts, and more.

Instructions on what to do prior to a EUS test will be provided by your healthcare provider. Generally, patients will have to abstain from food and drink for a set time period prior to the procedure. Avoid blood thinning medications and potentially adjust other dosages as advised.

A sedative will be provided in order to help the patient relax and numbing medicine will be sprayed into the throat. Patients will have a plastic mouthguard placed on their mouth to protect the teeth and stop them from biting the endoscope. The ultrasound endoscope enters through your mouth, esophagus, and stomach until it reaches the duodenum. The procedure is painless, and breathing should be unimpeded.

Contact our team today at Advanced Gastroenterology of Central Florida so that we can help you live a healthier life. We serve patients from Kissimmee FL, Orlando FL, St. Cloud FL, Meadow Woods FL, Celebration FL, Williamsburg FL, Buenaventura Lakes FL, and Hunters Creek FL.