[Endoscopic ultrasound - guided biliary and pancreatic drainage: an update]

Endosonography is an effective diagnostic procedure for intraluminal, parietal and extradigestive pathologies with superior resolution compared to other imaging modalities. The evolution of this technique permits targeted biopsies and offers new therapeutic approaches, initially for the drainage of abdominal collections, and now also for the drainage of bile ducts and the pancreas. These procedures offer a wide range of minimal invasive curative or palliative therapeutic options. The safety profile of these procedures is good and equivalent to a percutaneous approach. They provide a greater comfort and are associated with lower overall cost.