Doctor makes the patient women abdominal ultrasound

Ultrasound (EUS)

An endoscopic ultrasound, also known as EUS, is a type of procedure used to assess digestive and lung health. It is a minimally invasive procedure that’s often used to determine if there are gastro or lung diseases present. Your Brooklyn endoscopic ultrasound doctor will provide you with more information on what specifically is being looked for on this test when you visit our office in either Ocean Parkway or Cobble Hill in Brooklyn, NY.

The procedure uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the walls and lining of your digestive tract, liver, lymph nodes, pancreas or the chest. These images allow the doctor to determine if any abnormalities exist. The ultrasound may also include aspiration, the process of removing a very small amount of tissue or fluid in your chest and abdomen. This fluid and tissue biopsy can be used to further investigate the matter. It is far less invasive than other forms of exploratory surgery.

An endoscopic ultrasound can help your Brooklyn gastro or lung doctor determine what the underlying cause of your symptoms is. Your doctor may recommend this procedure if you have symptoms related to chest pain, abdominal pain, digestive tract inflammation, or lung-related concerns not otherwise understood. The EUS will help doctors to look for symptoms or indications of the following types of diseases:

  • Cancer of the lungs, stomach, pancreas, esophagus, colon, or ampullary and rectal cancers
  • Bile duct stones
  • Lymphoma
  • Neuroendocrine tumors
  • Pancreatic cysts or pancreatitis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Rectal fistulas or incontinence

As a diagnostic tool, an EUS is one of the best tools for doctors to see what’s happening within your digestive system. Additionally, these procedures often include fine-needle aspirations, which allow your doctor to remove some tissue or fluid for further investigation. Your doctor can use this information in several ways:

  • EUS can determine the depth of a tumor within an abdominal wall in most types of cancers
  • Determine if cancer has metastasized or spread to the lymph nodes
  • Determine the stage of cancer present
  • Determine the proper target for medications delivered specifically and directly to the liver, pancreas or other organs
  • Determine what abnormal images on imaging tests are, such as to further investigate a cyst

This procedure is most often an outpatient procedure. You’ll be given medication to help you relax. The doctor will then pass a thin, flexible tube into your mouth and down your throat into the digestive tract. This tube, which is the endoscope, will then produce sound waves. This helps to create a very detailed and precise picture of the tissues within the area including the lymph nodes. After the information is obtained, the endoscope is removed. A second, curved device can also be inserted which contains a very thin needle for aspirations.

If you have a condition that needs further investigation, an EUS can be a good option. Your endoscopic ultrasound doctor in Brooklyn can help you to learn what is really happening with this minimally invasive procedure.

Call Atlantic Gastroenterology

New patients: 718 521-2840 Existing patients: 718 615-4001 EndoSlim Clinic: 1-877-SIZEOFF (1-877-749-3633)