Conventional ultrasonography is widely used as a diagnostic investigation in gastroenterology.
Ultrasonically visible ‘target or halo sign’ caused by lesions in the upper GI-tract
has no specificity or biological significance, so conventional ultrasonography cannot
be used as an adequate investigation for detecting lesions in the upper GI-tract.
Recently endoscopic ultrasonography was developed with the aim of improving the diagnostic
potentialities of ultrasonography. Using an ultrasonic device it is now possible not
only to detect lesions in the upper GI-tract, but also to assess the exact extent
and depth of both local infiltration and adjacent metastases. Rapid differentiation
between intramural and extraluminal lesions can readily be accomplished. The superiority
of this new technique in the diagnosis of tumours of the papilla of Vater, and in
particular in establishing preoperative tumour staging, has been demonstrated in comparison
with other imaging techniques. These preliminary results in a small number of patients
must be confirmed by further studies involving clinical trials with a large number
of patients.
Intra- and transmural infiltration of tumours - Extraoesophageal lesions - Endoscopic
ultrasonography
