Diagnostic tests: what is ecoendoscopy?

By Cristiano Antonino On Mar 15, 2023

Ecoendoscopy is an important method for studying diseases of the digestive system, biliary tract and pancreas

It allows ultrasound exploration of the walls of the viscera and surrounding regions by applying a small ultrasound probe to the tip of the endoscope.

This test overcomes the limitations of traditional transcutaneous ultrasound and achieves a higher resolution power than other methods for certain indications, such as the evaluation of the wall of the hollow organs of the upper and lower digestive tract, the study of mediastinal lymph nodes and pancreatic parenchyma.

It also allows needle biopsies of pancreatic and lymph node lesions to be performed.

Is ecoendoscopy painful or dangerous?

The discomfort is comparable to that of normal endoscopic investigations but, as the test is usually longer than other procedures, it is performed with sedation (conscious or deep sedation depending on the patient’s characteristics).

Complications of diagnostic echo-endoscopy are rare (0.005% of cases) and can be superimposed on those of common endoscopic tests.

In the case of operative investigations, complications are more frequent and vary from case to case depending on the type of operation and the patient’s condition.

Complications that can occur during operative procedures are bleeding from the biopsy site and intestinal perforation due to instrument pressure, as well as cardiorespiratory complications due to the need for deeper sedation.

Who can perform ecoendoscopy?

Echoendoscopy allows the staging of malignant tumours of the digestive tract or surrounding organs.

In addition, it allows the localisation and visualisation of benign lesions of the oesophageal, gastric, duodenal, rectal, pancreatic or biliary wall.

Likewise, the echendoscope can be used to resolve diagnostic doubts concerning structures adjacent to the digestive tract.