Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)

What is an EUS?

An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive procedure used to assess gastrointestinal and lung diseases. This procedure consists of a special endoscopy and a fine-needle aspiration.

How is an EUS done?

After sedation, a thin, flexible tube with an attached camera is guided down through the oesophagus, stomach and the intestines. A small ultrasound device in the tube is used to create sound waves and give Dr. Noorbhai a precise image of the surrounding tissue.

In some cases, a fine-needle aspiration is used in combination with the EUS. Your surgeon may guide another thin tube thru the digestive tract which has a thin needle inside to extract fluids and take samples from lymph nodes, tumours and other abnormal growths.

The whole procedure takes between 30 minutes to an hour to complete.

Why would an EUS be done?

Endoscopic ultrasound is recommended if for chronic pancreatitis, disorders of the pancreas, and to find the cause of faecal incontinence. An EUS is also done to evaluate stages of cancer and have a closer look at abnormalities and tumours of the gallbladder or liver.

How long will I be in hospital?

Most EUS’s are done within an hour however you will be advised to have someone drive you home and look after you afterwards while the sedative wears off.

What will happen after the procedure?

Following an endoscopic ultrasound you may experience the following:

A sore throat.
Drowsiness from the sedation

These symptoms are normal and are nothing to be concerned about. Re-consult if you have an unusually high temperature, you have severe abdominal pain, extremely dark stool, nausea, vomiting, blood in the stool or chest pain following your endoscopic ultrasound as emergency care may be needed.