Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)

EUS · endoscopic ultrasound · endosonography · EUS with fine needle aspiration

The doctor passes a flexible tube with a camera and a small ultrasound probe at its tip through your mouth. This gives a close view of the pancreas, bile ducts, and the stomach wall.

When a regular ultrasound or CT gives no answer: for changes in the pancreas, stones in the ducts, or growths in the wall of the food pipe, stomach, or bowel. Sometimes to take a tissue sample with a thin needle.

⏱ Duration: the procedure itself usually takes 20 to 60 minutes, then 1 to 2 hours of observation; the report usually the same day, biopsy results in 1 to 2 weeks

Be sure to tell your doctor

Blood thinners. Your doctor will decide if anything needs to change
Diabetes and your diabetes medicines
Allergies, especially to medicines and anesthesia
Heart and lung disease
If you are or might be pregnant

How to prepare

Food. Usually no food for 6 to 8 hours and no drinks for 2 to 4 hours before. The clinic will give you the exact times.
Medicines. Do not stop them on your own. Tell your doctor what you take. They will decide what to take in the morning.
Sedation. EUS is usually done while you sleep, under sedation. Arrange for someone to take you home.

What to bring

Your referral
The ultrasound, CT, or MRI results that led to the EUS
A list of your medicines
Someone to take you home

How it goes

An IV line is put in a vein, and removable dentures are taken out
You lie on your left side with a soft mouth guard
Sleep medicine is given, and you fall asleep
The doctor passes the tube through your mouth into the food pipe and stomach
The probe at the tip shows the nearby organs on a screen
If needed, a tissue sample is taken with a thin needle
You wake up in the recovery room and are watched

What you'll feel

With sedation, you usually feel and remember nothing
Afterward, your throat may feel scratchy
There may be mild bloating from the air

Afterwards

You can usually eat and drink after 1 to 2 hours, once your throat is no longer numb. Ask your doctor
After sedation, do not drive or sign important papers for the rest of the day
The doctor usually gives you the report the same day
If a biopsy was taken, results usually come in 1 to 2 weeks

Contact a doctor straight away if

Severe pain in the belly, chest, or neck: call emergency services
Vomiting blood or black stools: call emergency services
A fever over 38°C (100.4°F) in the first days after: tell your doctor

Common questions

How is EUS different from a regular upper endoscopy?

An upper endoscopy shows the inside surface. EUS uses ultrasound to see deeper: the organ wall and what is next to it.

Does it hurt?

Usually not, since it is mostly done while you sleep. Afterward, your throat may feel a little scratchy.