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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 28, 2014; 20(24): 7801-7807
Published online Jun 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i24.7801
Endoscopic ultrasound in gastroenterology: From diagnosis to therapeutic implications
Mohamed A Mekky, Wael A Abbas
Mohamed A Mekky, Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut 71111, Egypt
Wael A Abbas, Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut 71111, Egypt
Author contributions: Mekky MA and Abbas WA contributed equally to this work; Mekky MA designed the review, collected the data and wrote the paper; Abbas WA revised the work, and checked the intellectual content and English language.
Correspondence to: Mohamed A Mekky, MD, PhD, Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut 71111, Egypt. doc_mekky0000@yahoo.com
Telephone: +2-88-4710955 Fax: +2-88-2343308
Received: October 23, 2013
Revised: December 8, 2013
Accepted: January 19, 2014
Published online: June 28, 2014
Processing time: 247 Days and 6.8 Hours
Abstract

Since its advent in 1980, the scope of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has grown to include a wide range of indications, and it is now being incorporated as an integral part of everyday practice in the field of gastroenterology. Its use is extending from an adjuvant imaging aid to utilization as a therapeutic tool for various gastrointestinal disorders. EUS was first used to visualize remote organs, such as the pancreas and abdominal lymph nodes. When fine needle aspiration was introduced, the indications for EUS expanded to include tissue sampling for diagnostic purposes. At the same time, the needle can be used to convey a potential therapy to the internal organs, allowing access to remote sites. In this review, we aim to highlight the expanding spectrum of EUS indications and uses in the field of gastroenterology.

Keywords: Endoscopic ultrasound; Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration; Ablation; Injection; Drainage; Immunohistochemistry; Gastroenterology

Core tip: Since its advent in 1980, the scope of endoscopic ultrasound has grown to include a wide range of indications, and it is now being incorporated as an integral part of everyday practice in the field of gastroenterology. Its use is extending from an adjuvant imaging aid to utilization as a therapeutic tool for various gastrointestinal disorders. In this review, we aim to highlight the expanding spectrum of endoscopic ultrasound indications and uses in the field of gastroenterology.