Endoscopic ultrasound: state-of-the-art GI tumor staging

摘要

Videoendoscopy has truly enlarged the scope of diagnostic and therapeutic gastroenterology. However, videoendoscopic examinations are limited to the mucosal surface. Endoscopic ultrasound allows the endoscopist a view beyond the intestinal all which opens the door to a variety of new gastroenterologic techniques. The evaluation of plain images in combination with contrast-enhanced images has been found to be helpful when applied to CT and MRI. A similar advantage may be found for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) studies. The efficacy of EUS with and without contrast enhancement is critically reviewed.