Endoscopic Ultrasound: Effective Tool for Early Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Diseases

What is Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)?

Endoscopic ultrasound is a minimally invasive procedure performed by a gastroenterologist, who uses a combination of endoscopy and ultrasound to generate detailed internal images of the digestive tract and surrounding tissues, including the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, and nearby lymph nodes.

Why do I need an EUS? – Indications of EUS

• Diagnostic EUS
  • Evaluation of pancreatic disease
    • Pancreatic cysts, masses
    • Chronic pancreatitis
  • Evaluation of bile ducts, gallbladder and liver
    • Masses, cysts, tumors, and bile duct stones
  • Local-regional staging of gastrointestinal malignancy
    • Esophageal, stomach, small bowel, rectal cancers
    • Ampullar and duodenal adenomas
    • Pancreatic cancer
  • Determination of the origin of submucosal lesions of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Tissue diagnosis using Fine needle biopsy (FNB) for extraluminal lesions and/or lymph nodes
• Therapeutic EUS
  • Biliary, pancreatic duct, gallbladder drainage: EUS-guided drainage
  • Gastric outlet obstruction: EUS-guided gastroenterostomy
  • Abdominal pain management: Celiac plexus block and neurolysis
  • Drainage of pancreatic fluid collections
  • Alternative treatment in pancreatic mass, neuroendocrine tumor: EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation

Safety of EUS

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is very safe and has few risks when performed by gastroenterologists specially trained in this procedure.

• Bleeding, perforation, pancreatitis
• Anesthesia-related adverse event: aspiration, allergy

Preparing for an EUS

Essential steps are required to prepare for a safe EUS procedure. These are general instructions. Be sure to follow any instructions given to you by your doctor.

Pre-procedural planning

• Anesthesia preprocedural assessment
• Anticoagulants and other medication review
• Laboratory tests and imaging
• Consent: Doctor informs about the details of the procedure, its benefits, and risks
• Eating plan before procedure
  • Do not eat any solid food after midnight the night before your test.
  • Do not drink any liquids or water for three hours before your test.
• Due to the sedative medication given, you should refrain from driving, working, or making important decisions after the test.

Post-preprocedural care

• Recovery room: After the procedure, you will be monitored in a recovery room until the effects of the medicine subside and you become more alert.
• Due to the sedative medication given, you should refrain from driving, working, or making important decisions after the test.
• Dietary advice: Start with clear liquids initially and progress to a regular diet as tolerated.

For more information, please contact

Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, Vejthani Hospital
Call: (+66)2-734-0000 Ext. 2960, 2961
English Hotline: (+66)85-223-8888