EUS and ERCP

Endoscopic ultrasound

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is similar to a standard upper endoscopy procedure. Doctors insert a thin, lighted tube (endoscope) through the mouth to view the esophagus, stomach and small bowel. But with EUS, there is an ultrasound probe at the tip of the instrument. EUS images show greater detail than a regular ultrasound, which aims the sound waves from outside the body.

EUS allows doctors to examine things standard endoscopy only suggests. Doctors can closely examine these areas deep within the tissues and biopsy them with greater accuracy. Doctors can also use EUS to examine organs near the GI tract, including the pancreas, when cancer is suspected. In people newly diagnosed with esophageal cancer, EUS is sometimes used to see if the cancer has spread and to help plan treatments.

Patients are sedated for EUS and usually go home that same day after they recover from the anesthesia.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

ERCP) is a specialized endoscopy technique used to study the ducts of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. An endoscope is passed through the mouth, esophagus and stomach to the small intestines (duodenum), then a small catheter is then passed through the endoscope into the ducts. Dye is injected into the ducts and X-rays of the liver and pancreas are taken. Much more detailed information is provided by the ERCP than by standard X-rays or scans. This helps physicians detect organ abnormalities and diseases of the pancreas, bile ducts, liver and gallbladder, and indications for surgery.

Therapeutic ERCP techniques can open the end of bile ducts, extract small stones, or place stents to improve drainage in obstructed ducts.

Patients receive sedation for an ERCP and sometimes a local anesthesia is applied to the throat. The endoscopic instrument does not interfere with breathing. Air is introduced through the endoscopy and this may cause temporary bloating during and after the procedure. The injection of the contrast dye rarely causes any discomfort.