Endoscopic Needle Ultrasound Minimally Invasive Surgery

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive procedure used to assess diseases of the digestive tract (gastrointestinal tract) and other nearby organs and tissues. Endoscopic ultrasound combines a thin, soft tube inserted into the gastrointestinal tract (endoscope) with a device that uses sound waves to create images (ultrasound).

High-frequency sound waves produce detailed images of the digestive tract and surrounding organs and tissues, including the lungs, pancreas, gallbladder, liver and lymph nodes.

The endoscope tube may also have a small needle used to remove a fluid or tissue sample (biopsy) for examination in the laboratory. The procedure is called EUS-guided fine needle aspiration or EUS-guided fine needle biopsy. Other EUS-guided procedures can be used to drain fluid from lesions or inject drugs at specific sites.