Expanding the horizons of endoscopic ultrasound: diagnosis of non-digestive pathologies

Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf). 2014 Feb;2(1):63-9. doi: 10.1093/gastro/got033. Epub 2014 Jan 8.

Abstract

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is mainly used for the evaluation and sampling of mediastinal and abdominal lymph nodes, luminal and submucosal lesions of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, as well as in the diagnostic approach for pancreatic, biliary and liver disease. However, several non-digestive pathologies may be encountered as well, expanding the diagnostic potential of EUS. In this article, we present nine examples of extra-digestive abnormalities detected by means of EUS, including pathologies of the thyroid gland, mediastinal and abdominal vessels, lungs, kidney and the urinary bladder. The purpose of this article is to review the capabilities of EUS beyond routine evaluation of gastrointestinal organs.

Keywords: Endoscopic ultrasound; aortic aneurysm; cardiac failure; pneumonia; pulmonary embolism; renal tumor; thyroid cyst.

Publication types

  • Case Reports