Utility of endoscopic ultrasound in pancreatitis: A review (original) (raw)

ultrasound. This problem has been overcome by integrating the ultrasound probe into an endoscope in order to place it directly into the gastric and duodenal lumen. The close proximity of the endoscopic ultrasound probe to the pancreas results in high spatial resolution that is superior to that of Computer Tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive procedure that does not share the relatively high complication rate of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Due to these advantages, EUS has evolved into an important technique to assess pancreatobiliary disease. This review will discuss the role of EUS in patients with pancreatitis. The indications can be divided into acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. In acute pancreatitis, EUS is used to determine the etiology; in suspected chronic pancreatitis it is helpful to establish the diagnosis. Another indication that will be discussed is biliar y pancreatitis with suspicion for persistent choledocholithiasis.