The role of gastrointestinal endosonography in diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures

Over the past 15 years endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has become an integrated part of gastrointestinal imaging. The more recent development of echoendoscopes and needles for EUS guided fine needle aspiration has stimulated the interest in interventional EUS procedures, both for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This paper describes the technique and experience with some of the interventional EUS procedures based on the present literature. Many of the techniques must still be considered experimental and will need substantial clinical testing in larger series before any final conclusions can be made. However, the present level of interventional EUS seems to indicate, that some of these techniques could be cost-effective alternatives in specific clinical situations, and in some cases even the only possible theraputic action. Future research in interventional EUS should be concentrated in experienced endosonography centers under careful monitoring of complications and clinical outcome.