Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

Outcomes | Pre-procedure Preparations | Procedures | Post-procedure Instructions | Advices on Discharge | Possible Risks and Complications

Endoscopic Ultrasound is a common surgical instrument which combines the functions of endoscopy with ultrasound. It is effective to observe the body’s tissues and structures beneath the surface. The ultrasound probe at the tip of endoscope can be put deep inside the body of patient and approached closely to the suspected lesion, thus it gives an accurate imaging effect than others.

Outcomes

Potential indications for the procedure:

  • Observation: Mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract is directly inspected.
  • Diagnosis: Various diseases of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, colon and lung can be diagnosed. It is also used for staging of cancer of various organs mentioned above.
  • Guidance: Doctors can get tissue or cytopathological diagnoses by means of fine-needle aspiration or tru-cut biopsy under the guidance of endoscopic ultrasound.
  • Therapeutic use: Such as celiac plexus neurolysis and drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts.

Pre-procedure Preparations

  • The procedure and possible complications will be explained by the doctor and a consent form must be signed prior to the procedure.
  • No food or drinks six hours before operation.
  • You should inform the doctor if you have any medical conditions (e.g. diabetes mellitus, heart disease, hypertension etc.) and taking any regular medications (e.g. Aspirin, Warfarin, Plavix, Xarelto, Dabigatran, Presanti including herbs and dietary supplement).

Procedures

  • The procedure is performed under intravenous sedation ( IVS) or monitored anesthesia care ( MAC).
  • Local anaesthetic is sprayed to the throat of the patient. A flexible endoscope with an ultrasound probe is inserted through the mouth into the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Minor discomfort including nausea and abdominal distension may be occurred during the procedure.
  • Depending on individual circumstance, the procedure is last for 15 minutes – 1 hour.

Post-procedure Instructions

  • A normal diet may be resumed as instructed after recovery from anaesthesia.

Advices on Discharge

  • You are required to follow the instruction given by your doctor in completing the drug treatment as necessary.
  • You should immediately return to the doctor or hospital for professional attention in the event of persistent vomiting, massive bleeding, severe abdominal distension or discomfort, shivering, fever over 38℃ or 100℉ and etc.
  • Any follow-up consultations should be attended as scheduled.

Possible Risks and Complications

  • Difficulty in swallowing may be experienced several hours after using oral local anaesthetic spray
  • Perforation of internal organs, bleeding and cardiopulmonary events etc. (rare)
  • Complications specific to endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration or trucut biopsy will depend on the site of interest and these include mediastinitis, pancreatitis and infection
  • Complications specific to celiac plexus neurolysis include transient diarrhea, transient orthostasis, transient increase in abdominal pain and abscess formation