Echoendoscopy
"Echoendoscopy is a very useful diagnostic technique, since it allows us to take samples of the lesions found and even apply the appropriate treatment. All of this, in the same procedure".
DR. JOSÉ CARLOS SÚBTIL ÍÑIGO SPECIALIST. DIGESTIVE DEPARTMENT
Echoendoscopy is a diagnostic technique and, in some cases, with the possibility of applying treatments, which consists of the combination of a flexible endoscope and an ultrasound device.
By using an ultrasound probe, it allows much sharper images and a more detailed visualization of the different layers that make up the wall of the digestive tract.
An echoendoscopy allows:
- The direct visualization of the interior of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, rectum and sigma.
- The ultrasound visualization of the interior of its wall, as well as the structures that surround these viscera (mediastinum, pancreatic region, biliary tract and pelvic cavity).
When is echoendoscopy indicated?
The main use of echoendoscopy is the local staging of both benign and malignant tumors growing in the mediastinum, pancreatic region, bile duct and pelvic cavity.
It accurately determines the depth a tumor reaches, whether or not it invades neighboring organs and whether it affects nodes near the tumor. It is also useful in the early detection of possible recurrences of already treated tumors.
It is useful to visualize and characterize some other non-tumoral lesions located in the proximity of the digestive tract. By using a special ultrasound scanner and needle, material can be obtained to be studied under the microscope and give a precise diagnosis.
In experienced hands it is the technique that best guides the surgeon in deciding the most appropriate treatment.
Most frequent indications of this test:
- Rectal cancer.
- Pancreatic cancer.
- Esophageal cancer.
- Stomach cancer.
Pain from pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis can be treated by ultrasound. This is done by locating the nerves that transmit this pain, puncturing them and injecting some drugs that block nerve transmission.
Another application is the emptying of some cysts or abscesses near the digestive tract.
Do you have any of these diseases?
You may need to have an echoendoscopy
How is echoendoscopy performed?
The doctor who is going to perform the exploration will explain to you what it consists of, what it is intended to achieve with it, what approximate time it will last, what risks it has and what you must do to collaborate and tolerate it well.
If the exploration is of the high digestive tube, they will put a plastic mouthpiece to ptroger your teeth. Also, an anesthesiologist will put you to sleep and you will not notice anything.
If the scan is of the rectum, it is usually done without sleep or sedation because the test is not uncomfortable or painful.
If you have any disease of the ano-rectal region that is painful, in that case you can be sedated or even put to sleep so that you do not feel pain.
The exploration is carried out by introducing the apparatus through the mouth or the anus, studying the area of the digestive tract that is of interest and, if necessary, introducing auxiliary material through the echoendoscope itself.
These explorations have a very variable duration depending on what is intended to be studied with them, but in general they last a minimum of 10 or 15 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours.
La preparación en líneas generales es la misma que para la gastroscopia o colonoscopia, según se trate de una ecoendoscopia alta o baja. Si es una ecoendoscopia alta, hay que mantener ayunas de 8 horas mínimo, incluida el agua. En algunas ocasiones se le pedirá que siga una dieta líquida el día anterior de la prueba.
Si tiene que tomar obligatoriamente alguna medicación, lo hará con una mínima cantidad de agua y lo comunicara al doctor que le haga la prueba.
Si es una ecoendoscopia baja, deberá tomar el día previo una preparación con laxantes que limpien adecuadamente el intestino grueso.
Si presenta alguna alteración en la coagulación de la sangre o toma medicación que la altere, lo comunicará antes de hacerse la prueba, sobre todo si en esta se va a realizar una punción para obtener material.
Si el paciente es alérgico al látex debe advertirlo antes de la prueba.
Es conveniente venir acompañado de un familiar o amigo. Finalizada la exploración, si esta ha sido con anestesia, deberá esperar un rato a encontrarse despejado hasta que el anestesista le de el alta y pueda salir de la unidad de endoscopia.
Debe esperar unos minutos antes de intentar ingerir líquidos o alimentos, dado que esto puede producirle problemas de atragantamiento o vómito debido a los anestésicos utilizados.
No debe beber alcohol ni conducir durante las siguientes 24 horas. Si la exploración ha sido rectal y sin sedación o anestesia, habitualmente podrá incorporarse a su vida normal casi de inmediato.
Pueden quedar algunas molestias pasajeras después de la exploración tales como dolor de garganta y distensión y/o dolor abdominal por retención de gas. Habitualmente la mayoría de las ecoendoscopias se hacen de forma ambulatoria.
En algunos casos, cuando se vaya a realizar una exploración, tanto del tubo digestivo alto como bajo, en la que sea necesario realizar alguna maniobra terapéutica o punción, dependiendo de las características de esta, se le recomendara la hospitalización para una mejor preparación y control posterior.
Los riesgos más frecuentes son poco importantes y pasajeros, tales como los referidos en el apartado anterior. Otros riesgos más graves pero muy poco frecuentes son la hemorragia y la perforación intestinal.
Riesgos aun más graves, como la parada cardiorespiratoria, son absolutamente excepcionales y se dan en pacientes ancianos, muy graves o en estado crítico.
Otros riesgos debidos a algunas maniobras concretas que sean necesarias en su caso se le explicaran antes de la prueba y tendrá la posibilidad de solucionar sus dudas con el especialista que se la va a realizar.
En cualquier caso el paciente autorizará la realización de la prueba mediante la firma de un consentimiento informado.
Where do we do it?
IN NAVARRE AND MADRID
The Department of Digestive
of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
The Digestive Department of the Clinica Universidad de Navarra is composed of a multidisciplinary team of specialists who are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract.
Our objective is that each diagnosis be carefully established and the treatment plan adjusted to each patient.
Why at the Clinica?
- Medical specialists who are national references.
- Specialized nursing team.
- Endoscopy Unit and High Risk Digestive Tumor Prevention and Consultation Unit to offer the best care to our patients.
Our team of professionals
