What is an endoscopic ultrasound?
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or echo-endoscopy is a medical procedure to examine the lining and the walls of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. The upper tract is the esophagus, stomach and duodenum; the lower tract includes the colon and rectum. EUS is used also to study internal organs that lie next to the gastrointestinal tract, such as the gallbladder, bile duct and pancreas.
Your doctor can use EUS to diagnose the cause of conditions such as abdominal pain or abnormal weight loss. Or, if your doctor has ruled out certain conditions, EUS can confirm your diagnosis and give you a clean bill of health.
EUS can be used to evaluate an abnormality, such as a growth, that was detected during a prior endoscopy, colonoscopy or x-ray. EUS provides a detailed picture of the growth, which can help your doctor determine its nature and decide upon the best treatment. EUS also can be used to diagnose diseases of the pancreas, bile duct and gallbladder when other tests are inconclusive.
How should you prepare for an endoscopic ultrasound?
After you schedule your appointment with us, you will be mailed complete instructions on how to prepare for your procedure.
Here’s a synopsis of the key things that you should do to prepare:
- Call your insurance company and ask if the endoscopic ultrasound test is covered for the reason given by your doctor.
- Ask your insurance company if you need a referral for the endoscopic ultrasound. If they say “yes,” then you MUST get a referral from your primary care physician.
- Update your registration by calling 1-866-489-4056.
- Make plans for someone to come with you to the hospital.
- If you take Coumadin®, Plavix® or other blood thinners, please talk to the doctor who prescribed it.
- If you are diabetic, please speak with your doctor about how to take your medication in order to prevent low blood sugar.
What should you expect on the day of your endoscopic ultrasound procedure?
After you check in, one of our nurses will meet with you to review your medical conditions and medications. An IV line will be placed in a vein in your arm. You will proceed to the procedure room, where your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen level will be carefully monitored. A sedative also will be administered through your IV. You will soon feel drowsy, and while some people fall asleep, others remain awake during the procedure.
The test itself usually takes less than an hour. After the test, you will rest until the effects of the medicine wear off.
You will not be able to drive following the procedure, so plan on having someone with you to take you home. Before leaving, our staff will speak with you about the preliminary results of your test and will let you know when you can go back to eating your regular diet.
Contact Us
To request an appointment or more information about the procedure, please contact us at (617) 732-7426.
