At Muskegon Surgical Associates, we offer a wide variety of diagnostic and surgical services. Endoscopy is a non-surgical technique used to examine and repair organs, most often used for issues within your digestive tract.
An endoscopy may be performed to evaluate conditions such as stomach pain, digestive tract bleeding, ulcers, gastritis, or difficulty swallowing. There are three different endoscopic procedures: EGD, ERCP, and EUS. Visit us online for a brief explanation of these, or read on to learn more about EUS (endoscopic ultrasound) specifically.
What is an endoscopic ultrasound?
An endoscopic ultrasound is a minimally invasive procedure to assess digestive and lung diseases. Depending upon your condition, the procedure is performed as follows: a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope with a built-in, miniature ultrasound probe is inserted through your mouth or anus to the area that needs to be examined. The doctor then uses the ultrasound sound waves to create visual images of the affected area.
Why would I need an EUS?
The reason for EUS procedures varies from one patient to the next, but is often used to evaluate the cause and location of pain, determine the extent of disease, or to evaluate findings from imaging tests. These procedures can help to check a variety of conditions such as colon, esophagus, lung, pancreas, or stomach cancer, lymphoma, barrett’s esophagus, neuroendocrine tumors, pancreatitis and pancreatic cysts, as well as other abnormal pains.
An endoscopic ultrasound can also help assess conditions such as the depth of a tumor if it’s in your esophagus, stomach, or lungs, determine the extent of cancer, evaluate abnormal findings from CT or MRI scans, and much more.
Are there risks involved?
EUS is typically considered a safe procedure when performed at a center with experienced and highly-skilled health care providers. While the risks and symptoms vary depending upon the patient, a few common side effects may include bleeding, infection, and tearing. Symptoms you may experience include fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, dark colored stool, or persistent abdominal pain.
As mentioned previously, each patient’s body is different and what may be a risk for one person may not be for another. Before the procedure, it’s important to consult with your doctor and discuss any health concerns, possible symptoms or risks, and what you can expect before entering the surgical room. Our team of experts are here for you every step of the way.
At Muskegon Surgical Associates, we work diligently to ensure our patients know they are in the best possible care. To learn more about an endoscopic ultrasound, call us at 231-739-9461.