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Semin Liver Dis 2018; 38(02): 145-159
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1656511
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Endoscopic Ultrasound for the Hepatologist: A Comprehensive Review

Mihai Rimbaş
1   Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
2   Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine Departments, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Carol Davila University of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
,
Luca Di Maurizio
1   Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
,
Gianenrico Rizzatti
3   Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
,
Antonio Gasbarrini
3   Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
,
Guido Costamagna
1   Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
4   IHU-USIAS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
,
Alberto Larghi
1   Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
05 June 2018 (online)

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Abstract

In the last few years, the diagnostic and therapeutic utilization of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for a variety of liver conditions has exponentially grown. We performed a thorough search for all available studies on the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic EUS in the field of hepatology. This article reviews the indication of EUS in the evaluation and treatment of portal hypertension, portal vein pressure measurement, focal liver lesions, and parenchymal liver diseases, and presents all the clinical evidences available so far in this regard. All the review data suggest that EUS is becoming an increasingly important tool in the armamentarium of the hepatologists for the management of certain liver-related conditions. Implementation in the education of the hepatologists of means to become more familiar with both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of EUS is warranted.

Keywords

endoscopic ultrasound - EUS - hepatology - portal hypertension - focal liver lesion

Authors' Contributions

M.R., L.D., G.R., and A.L. performed the literature search. M.R. and A.L. drafted the manuscript. A.L., A.G., and G.C. revised it critically for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.