WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about an upper endoscopic gastrointestinal ultrasonography? An upper gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound is done to look at the different parts of your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The upper GI tract includes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). This procedure is used to help diagnose and treat diseases that affect the upper GI tract. How do I prepare for this procedure? Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare for surgery. He may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. He will tell you what medicines you may or may not take on the day of your surgery. What will happen during this procedure? - You may be given medicine to help you relax. You will be asked to lie on your left side. Your healthcare provider will gently pass the echoendoscope through your mouth. This will go down into your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. You may be asked to swallow to help the scope move along. The passage of the echoendoscope may cause a feeling of pressure and some discomfort. Your healthcare provider will slowly advance the scope while he watches its movement on a small video screen. He will also take pictures.
- Your healthcare provider may take tissue samples and send them to the lab for tests. He may also treat any known conditions you have. When the procedure is finished, the echoendoscope will be removed.
What are the risks of this procedure? You may have bleeding, an abnormal heartbeat, high blood pressure, or trouble breathing. Your esophagus, stomach, or duodenum may get injured because of increased pressure from the scope. |