Upper Endoscopic Ultrasound with Fine Needle Aspiration
Patient Procedure Instructions
Purpose of Procedure
To examine tumor or polyp in greater detail by analyzing each of the 5 wall layers of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum by using a small ultrasound probe which is passed from the mouth into the stomach. Standard upper endoscopy can only visualize the first layer and miss what is hiding beneath. Lymph nodes and blood vessels outside of the intestines can also be evaluated by EUS. Compared to CT scans and MRI’s, EUS also provides much higher resolution images and better assessment of small lesions in the chest cavity, pancreas, bile duct, gallbladder, liver, and spleen. Biopsies can be obtained for diagnosis. Information obtained by EUS is very important in deciding what the best course of treatment should be.
Preparation for the Procedure
Five Days Before Procedure
Please discontinue any coumadin, aspirin, Plavix, or NSAIDS (Advil, Aleve, Motrin, ibuprofen…etc.). Tylenol or acetaminophen is o.k.
Day Before Procedure
- If your procedure is in the morning, do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night prior to the procedure. You may take your medications with a small sip of water.
- If your procedure is in the afternoon, you may have clear liquids up to 8am (coffee, tea, soda, water, clear juices, clear broth, popsicles and jello).
