An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is typically an outpatient procedure that allows your doctor to create images of your digestive tract and surrounding organs by combining endoscopy images with ultrasound images.
In certain situations, EUS also allows your doctor to obtain samples of fluids and/or tissue for further analysis using fine-needle aspiration. EUS can also be used in the management of complications of pancreatitis, including the drainage of fluid collections known as pseudocysts.
A EUS is an effective way to diagnose and treat a variety of disorders:
When your endoscopic ultrasound is scheduled you will receive detailed instructions regarding what you need to do to prepare for the procedure. Please make sure you read them carefully and follow as instructed. Your physician will ask you to not eat for eight hours before the procedure.
Make sure you arrive to the procedure site at the time specified by your doctor’s office. Upon arrival, the staff will complete the registration process and you will be evaluated by the medical team. You will be asked to lie on your left side and an intravenous line will be inserted so you can receive sedation for the procedure.
Once the patient’s pre procedure evaluation is completed they will be taken to the procedure room. We will place a plastic mouth piece to protect your teeth and the EUS scope. Once you are sedated and comfortable the doctor will use a EUS scope which is a flexible tube with a light, camera, and an ultrasound probe on its end. The doctor will examine the targeted area. In certain cases, the doctor may perform additional interventions including fine-needle aspiration to obtain fluid and/or tissue samples for analysis.
You will be monitored until most of the effects of the sedatives have worn off.
Your doctor will explain the results of the examination to you. If biopsies were performed you will have to wait a few days for those results to become available. You must have a driver take you home.
Any procedure carries a small amount of risk and potential complications. These risks will be discussed with you in detail prior to the procedure and before the patient provides consent. Some of the risks with an endoscopic ultrasound include:
Call (412) 359-8900 to request an appointment or to learn more about endoscopic ultrasounds. Our team remains available to answer your questions anytime beyond your clinic visit.
