Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound
Content

Ask An Expert

Endoscopic Ultrasound

Vinod K. Kurupath

Vinod K. Kurupath, M.D.

Surgery Center Division

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus

Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

Question:

I have been diagnosed with a digestive disorder and I may be a candidate for an endoscopic ultrasound. What are the benefits of this procedure?

Answer:

In conventional endoscopy, the gastroenterologist can only view the innermost lining of the digestive tract. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) allows a doctor to look at more than the inner layers of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver and gallbladder. The video camera on the flexible EUS scope allows a doctor to look at the different layers of the gastrointestinal tract and diagnose different conditions that may be missed with conventional endoscopy.

It also helps in determine the size and location of a tumor and whether it has spread to lymph nodes, blood vessels or other structures. This provides information on the cancer's stage, which relates to your prognosis. For example, a growth or mass detected on one of your internal organs can be further evaluated under EUS - without making an incision - to help doctors better understand its nature and prescribe the best treatment option for you. A thin needle - that does not cause pain - can be passed through the endoscope into the tumor to obtain tissue samples. This type of biopsy is called fine-needle aspiration. Cells obtained from the biopsy are examined with a microscope to see if they are cancerous.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) provides a much wider view and includes details not seen with a CT or MRI scan. EUS is also much safer than a CT scan, which uses radiation.

Related Questions

Question
  • Lactose Intolerant Child?
    My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?
  • Lactose Intolerance and Goat Cheese
    Does goat cheese contain lactose? If I am lactose intolerant, is it safe to eat?
  • What is a Fatty Liver?
    I have been diagnosed with a fatty liver. What causes this and can this condition be reversed?
  • Lactose and Gluten Sensitivity?
    Is the presence of lactose intolerance and/or irritable bowel syndrome typically associated with someone who may also be sensitive to gluten?
  • Crohn's Disease and Intestinal Bacteria
    I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease two years ago. I recently heard that more harmful bacteria are found in a person with Crohn's than those without this disease. If this is true, is there anything I can do to change the bacteria in my system?

Back to Digestive Health

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences