Pancreas Echo-Endoscopy & biopsy
Gastroenterologists may work alongside anesthesiologists to provide sedation. Intravenous fluids and the anesthetics are suppled via an IV catheter. When indicated an antibiotic may be given. Most patients are usually in deep sleep and do not report any discomfort. Throughout the procedure the vital science will be closely monitored. The procedure may be short or lengthy, depending on the complexity of the case. A mouth piece will be used to protect both your teeth and echo- endoscope. The echo-endoscope is then inserted into the mouth, pass through the esophagus, the stomach and into the duodenum. The area of interest is then carefully examined, when indicated samples or obtained using FNA for further analyses. The sound waves emitted through ultrasound transducer that gives the detailed images when the sound wave sound spark and then analyzed. The physician and a therapist see the images to locate abnormal tissue masses or abnormal collections of fluid. In a case of a pancreatic tumor the pathologic area is localized on the ultrasound image. The FNA needle extended from the endoscope head, the lesion is pierced and the needle is moved back and forth several times in multiple area of the lesion to obtain an adequate sample for analyses. On occasion peripancreatic lymph nodes are also sampled to determine if the tumor has spread. The vessels around a pancreas are also closely studied to rule out any type of tumor involvement within a peripancreatic arteries and veins. This is called staging and grading of the pancreatic tumor and this helps to determine how advanced or localized the disease is. FNA samples are frequently read in the room where the procedure is being performed to ensure an adequate sample and an occasion to establish a preliminary diagnosis. This samples are used to diagnose stage, or even rule out the presence of pancreatic disease or cancer to determine the best course of treatment.
