Endoscopic ultrasound, or EUS, is a modern imaging technique that visualizes organs such as the pancreas, gall bladder, liver and more. Used by your team at Comprehensive Digestive Institute of Nevada in Las Vegas and Henderson, this reliable day surgery helps diagnose and treat several GI disorders. Here are the details you need to know.
What is an endoscopic ultrasound?
Performed at our state of the art endoscopic center in Las Vegas, endoscopic ultrasound allows your gastroenterologist to see your digestive tract and organs such as the pancreas and gall bladder. Additionally, the doctor obtains images of hard-to-see structures such as lymph nodes and blood vessels.
When is this procedure used?
EUS helps doctors further explore lumps and other abnormalities previously viewed with other diagnostic procedures. It also allows for fine-needle aspiration, a method of obtaining tissue samples for biopsy and other kinds of analysis. Endoscopic ultrasound helps stage cancer of the GI tract and lungs as well.
Procedure details
Inform your doctor at Comprehensive Digestive Institute of Nevada of your routine medications, including blood thinners such as aspirin or coumadin, and if you are allergic to shellfish or iodine.
Preparation involves pre-procedure fasting. The day of the procedure, you'll be given IV sedation. The doctor then uses a thin, flexible tube inserted in the mouth and down the throat to advance a camera and ultrasound instrument.
During the 30 to 90 minute procedure, your GI doctor views real-time photos on a television monitor and views sound wave images on a separate television set. Afterward, you'll rest in the recovery room, discuss results with your doctor, and go home with a responsible adult friend or relative. You may return to your usual routine the next day because EUS is usually well-tolerated by the majority of patients.
Contact us for additional information
At Comprehensive Digestive Institute of Nevada, our nine board-certified gastroenterologists are experts in their field and ready to help you. We have two convenient offices: one in Henderson and the other in Las Vegas. Call us to know more about our endoscopy center and on EUS. Phone us weekdays at (702) 483-4483.