Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a procedure that uses ultrasound to evaluate your digestive system, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and other organs in the abdomen. This procedure can help your doctor diagnose gallstones or bile duct stones. It can also help determine your risk of developing gastrointestinal and stomach cancers. A EUS procedure is usually more effective in determining the cause of your condition, especially after other methods fail to provide more information. If you are struggling with gastrointestinal issues, visit the EUS Pineville endoscopy center for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Let us learn more about this procedure, its benefits, and its effectiveness in diagnosing various digestive health issues.
How Does Endoscopic Ultrasonography Work?
Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a diagnostic test that uses sound waves to examine your abdomen. A long, flexible tube with a light at the end, known as an endoscope, is inserted into your mouth or rectum and passed through the intestines.
An endoscope can also be passed into various body parts through tiny incisions, usually made with a pen-like device called a scope. The EUS machine uses ultrasound technology to create images of internal structures within the body.
Why Is an EUS Procedure Performed?
An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedure is performed to diagnose and treat tumors or other abnormalities in the digestive tract. The EUS uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal organs, including the pancreas and gallbladder, which are too small to be seen by X-ray.
The EUS is used frequently during laparoscopy, an outpatient surgical procedure that enables surgeons to perform diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. They can do so through tiny incisions instead of large abdominal incisions like traditional surgery would require.
Which Conditions Can Be Evaluated Through a EUS Procedure
EUS can help evaluate the pancreas, pancreatic ducts, bile ducts, liver, gallbladder, and duodenum. It can also diagnose many diseases, including pancreatic cancer, gallstones, cysts, tumors such as colorectal cancer, and other digestive health issues.
EUS can also help evaluate conditions causing inflammation in the digestive tract, such as diverticulitis or Crohn’s disease. You might also need a EUS procedure if you constantly experience abdominal and chest pain. Ensure to talk with your doctor to determine your eligibility for this procedure.
How Is an EUS Test Done?
A EUS procedure is mostly done in a hospital setting. Your doctor uses a thin tube called an endoscope and inserts it into your body through the mouth or nose and into the intestines, gallbladder, or stomach.
They then send sound waves through this tube to create an image of your organs and tissues. These images are then sent to a monitor that displays them onscreen for you to view. Your doctor uses this information to diagnose problems with your organs and other body parts.
What Happens After a EUS Procedure?
After the procedure, your doctor will provide after-care instructions to help accelerate healing. They might also recommend over-the-counter pain-relieving medications for a few days or weeks after the procedure. If your symptoms do not improve within two weeks after receiving the EUS diagnosis and treatment plan from your doctor, ensure to follow up with them again.
While EUS is a safe and effective test, it can be uncomfortable during and after treatment. If you have concerns about what to expect during and after treatment, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates. You will receive a proper diagnosis for your gastrointestinal issues and determine their causes. Call today or request an appointment online to get answers to your inquiries.
