Endoscopic Ultrasound

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) uses a specialized endoscope—a long, flexible, lighted tube—equipped with a small ultrasound probe, which emits sound waves. Your healthcare provider guides the scope through your mouth and throat, then down the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). EUS allows the doctor to examine the walls of the esophagus, stomach and intestine, as well as structures near the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

EUS is an important diagnostic and staging tool for patients with tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, including the pancreas, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts.

This procedure can also be used for interventional procedures, including draining large cysts of the pancreas.

EUS is also used to place gold markers called fiducials directly into tumors to guide radiation oncologists delivering radiation therapy targeted to that specific area.