Abstract

PEREIRA, Eduardo et al. Digestive Endoscopic Ultrasound in Clinical Practice Part I: Technical Aspects and Utility in Evaluating the Gastrointestinal Wall. J Port Gastrenterol. [online]. 2011, vol.18, n.1, pp.22-33. ISSN 0872-8178.

Endoscopic ultrasonography represents one of the most challenging endoscopic techniques and has a proven clinical value. In the last two decades it has revolutionized the clinical spectrum of gastroenterology and oncologic pathology in particular. The learning curve is very long and laborious, requiring knowledge of the ultrasound physics and of human anatomy. It permits a correlation between tissues with different ultrasonographic characteristics and anatomical structures, it allows the identification of the gastrointestinal wall and adjacent organs in a tomographic perspective. The need to print delicate movements to the end of the ecoendoscope along with essential knowledge and details of utrasound anatomy require a particular technical skill. The role it occupies in the management of neoplasms of the digestive tract, or in benign and malignant pancreatobiliary diseases, confirms the historical reason for its implementation in view of its proven clinical performance. Allowing a thorough sonographic observation of the different layers of the digestive wall, with proven histological correspondence, it gives a new ability in methodology and complementary research, without overlapping with other imaging methods such as computed tomography or nuclear magnetic ressonance. EUS fine needle aspiration or injection of intra and extraluminal structures, in real time under EUS visualization is increasing its potential, both in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The progressive development of this technique, with a growing potential, led to its application in the study of extra-intestinal disease such as in the lung, mediastinum or genital and pelvic organs. This first article aims to be a short approach to the equipment used in the Endoscopic ultrasonography and to the main indications and ultrasound findings in evaluation of the changes in the gastrointestinal wall.

Keywords : Endosonography; indications; tumor staging; subepithelial lesions.

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