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World J Gastroenterol. May 14, 2006; 12(18): 2858-2863
Published online May 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i18.2858
Morphology and motor function of the gastrointestinal tract examined with endosonography
Svein Odegaard, Lars Birger Nesje, Dag Arne Lihaug Hoff, Odd Helge Gilja, Hans Gregersen
Svein Odegaard, Lars Birger Nesje, Odd Helge Gilja, National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
Svein Odegaard, Lars Birger Nesje, Dag Arne Lihaug Hoff, Odd Helge Gilja, Hans Gregersen, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Dag Arne Lihaug Hoff, Department of Medicine, Aalesund Hospital, Aalesund, Norway
Hans Gregersen, Centre for Visceral Biomechanics and Pain, Aalborg Hospital, SMI, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
Correspondence to: Professor Svein Odegaard, MD, PhD, National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, NO-5021 Bergen, Norway. svein.odegaard@helse-bergen.no
Telephone: +47-55975000 Fax: +47-55972950
Received: March 25, 2006
Revised: March 28, 2006
Accepted: April 10, 2006
Published online: May 14, 2006
Abstract

Endosonography is a useful tool for studying the morphology and motor function of the gastrointestinal tract. Intraluminal ultrasonography is the common denomination of ultrasound examinations using intracorporal transducers which are inserted into the GI tract. Thus, the visceral wall and adjacent structures can be imaged in detail. This review describes the usefulness of endosonography in gastroenterology, in particular with respect to studies of the biomechanical and motor function of the gastrointestinal tract. New techniques such as 3-D EUS, elastography and strain rate imaging are discussed.

Keywords: Intraluminal ultrasonography, Gastrointestinal tract, Imaging, Biomechanics