Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that uses an endoscope equipped with an ultrasound probe to produce high-resolution images of the digestive tract and adjacent organs. The procedure is often used to evaluate digestive disorders, including pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and gastrointestinal tumors. During an EUS, the endoscope is inserted through the mouth and guided down the esophagus and into the stomach and duodenum. The ultrasound probe at the tip of the endoscope emits sound waves that create detailed images of the digestive tract and surrounding tissues. EUS is highly accurate in identifying small lesions and can help doctors determine the extent of cancer spread and whether surgical removal is necessary. In addition to its diagnostic capabilities, EUS can also be used for therapeutic purposes. For example, during an EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA), a small needle is passed through the endoscope to collect a tissue sample from a suspicious lesion. EUS can also be used to guide the delivery of treatments, such as injection of medication directly into a tumor or placement of a stent to relieve an obstruction in the digestive tract. Compared to traditional surgical procedures, EUS is a less invasive option that typically results in less pain, fewer complications, and a quicker recovery time.
