Meade Edmunds, MD, and his team at Edmunds Gastroenterology in Knoxville, Tennessee, have been providing expert care for more than 40 years. To ensure you get the best diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Edmunds and his team utilize the most advanced diagnostic tools, including the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). To learn more about EUS or to schedule a consultation with the team, call the office today or book an appointment online.
EUS is a procedure similar to upper endoscopy where an ultrasound device is at the end of a specialized scope that allows your doctor to examine the lining of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. With the ultrasound, it is also able to look at nearby organs such as the gallbladder, lymph nodes, and pancreas.
The ultrasound component of this endoscope is used to visualize the depth of the problem being studied as well as surrounding organs to better diagnose your condition. EUS also has the capability of allowing your doctor to obtain a piece of tissue from the organ being studied. Your doctor places a small needle in the organ to sample the tissue.
Prior to endoscopic ultrasound, your medical history and allergies are reviewed by your physician, who talks to you about any blood thinners that you may be on. If you’re having an evaluation of the upper GI tract, the endoscope is inserted through your mouth, whereas it’s inserted through your rectum if your lower GI tract is being evaluated.
You receive sedation for this procedure and therefore you need to have a driver to take you home. After your procedure, you’re taken to the recovery room and your physician talks to you about your results. You may feel somewhat bloated due to the air and water used for the study.
You’re able to eat immediately, but a light meal is recommended due to the anesthesia used during the procedure. The test itself usually takes 20-30 minute, and you’re asleep during this time.
EUS is considered a comfortable and safe procedure when performed by a physician who has had specialized training and is experienced in performing EUS, like Dr. Edmunds. Mild complications such as a sore throat and abdominal bloating may occur from passage of the tube and use of air and fluid during the procedure, respectively.
One major, but very uncommon complication of EUS is perforation. Perforation could occur of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. If a biopsy is taken, this does increase the risk of the procedure slightly and bleeding may occur from the biopsy site. This is very uncommon, however.
With any sedation, aspiration may occur. This is where the patient has stomach contents that come up and go into the lungs. Therefore, having nothing by mouth for six hours prior to the procedure is imperative for your safety.
After the procedure, if you have any evidence of fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or chest pain, you should call your physician immediately.
EUS allows your physician to assess depth of invasion of both benign and malignant tumors, as well as look for abnormalities such as cysts, polyps, or other tissue abnormalities. EUS also allows tissue samples to be obtained from the lesion of question, lymph nodes, or pancreas.
The alternatives to EUS imaging are numerous; however, tissue samples cannot always be obtained during these alternative procedures. Radiographic studies such as CT scan, MRI, PET scan, and barium studies are often used in conjunction with EUS for diagnosing and staging of the lesion.
When it comes to evaluating your digestive system, Dr. Edmunds and his team utilize some of the most advanced options, including EUS. To determine if you’re a good candidate for this procedure, call Edmunds Gastroenterology today or book an appointment online.
This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Please consult with your primary care physician or a specialist regarding your symptoms.
