Therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Interventional Endoscopy

Background:

• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a key diagnostic tool in UK gastrointestinal multidisciplinary teams (MDTs).
• Therapeutic applications of EUS are rapidly evolving, significantly impacting patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the growing therapeutic role of EUS in gastrointestinal interventions.
• To underscore the importance of expertise and multidisciplinary collaboration in EUS-guided therapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of current EUS therapeutic applications.
• Discussion of technological advancements and endosonographer expertise.

Main Results:

• EUS therapies include drainage of peripancreatic collections and EUS-guided procedures like cholangiopancreatography and coeliac plexus blocks.
• The field is advancing rapidly due to new tools and increased endosonographer skill.

Conclusions:

• EUS-guided therapies offer significant patient management benefits.
• These high-risk procedures require specialized centers with interventional endoscopists, radiologists, and surgeons.
• The indications for EUS therapies are still expanding, and a learning curve exists.