An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) lets your clinician see detailed images of your esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and bile ducts and take targeted biopsies if needed. Most patients go home the same day with a driver.
A thin, flexible scope with an ultrasound probe is guided through your mouth into the upper digestive tract while you’re comfortably sedated. Your clinician captures detailed images and may take small needle biopsies if needed. Most EUS procedures take about 30–60 minutes.
Most EUS exams are done with IV sedation or anesthesia so you’re relaxed, comfortable, and unlikely to remember the test. Your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure are watched closely throughout. As with any procedure, there is a small risk of bleeding, infection, reaction to medicines, or—rarely—a tear in the GI tract, but your care team reviews your history to keep these risks low.
Most patients only need to fast before EUS. In general, you will stop solid food 8 hours before your procedure and stop all liquids 4 hours before arrival. Some medications—especially blood thinners and certain diabetes or weight-loss medicines—may need to be adjusted.
You’ll receive a separate EUS prep handout with step-by-step instructions. Please follow that guide closely and call us if you are unsure about any medication or fasting question.
On the day of your EUS, you’ll arrive fasting, check in, and review your medical history and medications with the nurse. An IV will be started and you’ll meet the doctor and anesthesia provider, who will answer last-minute questions.
In the procedure room, you’ll lie on your left side and receive IV sedation or anesthesia. A small mouthpiece protects your teeth and the scope. You’ll breathe on your own while the scope is gently guided through your mouth into the upper GI tract. You will not feel the ultrasound imaging and should be comfortable throughout.
After the procedure, you’ll rest in recovery while the sedation wears off. Your doctor (or a member of the team) will review the findings and initial plan with you and your driver before you go home.
Mild throat soreness, bloating, or gassiness can occur after EUS and usually improves within a day. Start with small sips of liquid and light foods, then return to your normal diet as tolerated unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
Because of the sedation, you should not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or make important legal or financial decisions for the rest of the day. Most people are able to return to normal activities the following day.
Call us right away or seek urgent care if you develop fever, chest pain, trouble breathing, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or black or bloody stools after the procedure.
If your insurance requires a referral or prior authorization, our billing office will make every effort to obtain it before services are rendered. If you choose to proceed without required authorization, insurance may deny coverage. If you are a Medicare patient, you may be asked to sign an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) acknowledging financial responsibility if insurance does not pay. If you are enrolled in a commercial insurance plan you will be asked to sign a non-covered services form.