[Endoscopic ultrasound scanning of the upper gastrointestinal canal]

Endoscopic ultrasound scanning (EUL) of the upper gastro-intestinal canal has rendered apparently very meticulous assessment of pathological conditions in and around the oesophagus, stomach and the duodenum possible during recent years. On account of the close contact with the mucosa, high-frequent ultrasound transducer with great solubility capacity are employed. The wall of the gastrointestinal canal may thus be presented and subdivided into five layers. The ultrasound gastroscope most employed at present is lateral visualizing gastroscope with a mechanically rotating sector scanner mounted distal to the optic. On the basis of the literature, the technique of the examination and the hitherto employed indications for EUL are reviewed. International attention has been focussed on employment of EUL for preoperative subdivision of tumours in the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas and biliary passages into stages. Individual centres have reported promising results compared with existing forms of examination such as CT, conventional radiography, endoscopy and external ultrasound scanning. It is concluded that the necessary apparatus has not yet been fully developed. In addition, more numerous and more extensive prospective investigations are necessary before EUL may possibly be considered as a routine method of examination.