Endoscopic Ultrasound
Preparation:
As for a general anaesthetic, patients require to fast for 6 hours prior to the examination
Procedure:
A fibre-optic endoscope, with a high frequency ultrasound probe mounted on the end, is passed into the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The ultrasound allows inspection of the wall of the upper GI tract and also inspection of the mediastum and surrounding structures of the stomach and oesophagus. This is generally performed for the staging of tumours
(1) Endoscopic ultrasound may also be used as a less invasive alternative to ERCP for the inspection of the liver, biliary tract and pancreas
(2) Tissue samples may be taken to test for analysis.
Sedation:
The procedure is performed after the administration of an intravenous sedative.
Post Op:
Following throat spray patients will have to fast for 1 hour. Sedation will require several hours to wear off and patients should not drive or use heavy machinery for 24 hours.
OPC Code:
H2220 (tumour staging) [1]
J6730 (inspection of pancreatico-biliary tract) [2]
