Endosonography of the liver (endohepatology) - Precise diagnosis of liver diseases
Precise diagnostics at the Vivomed practice - Gastroenterology Bern
For patients from Bern and the whole of German-speaking Switzerland
Endosonography of the liver - often called EUS for short - is a modern, particularly precise examination method for clarifying liver diseases, changes in the bile ducts and complaints in the right upper abdomen.
At Vivomed - Gastroenterology Bern, we use this technique to provide you with an early, reliable and gentle diagnosis. Many patients come from all over German-speaking Switzerland for this procedure, as endosonography is an examination that is only offered by specialized centers.
What is endosonography of the liver?
Endosonography combines a gastroscopy with a high-precision ultrasound device that sits directly at the end of the endoscope. This allows us to assess the liver, portal vein and bile ducts from the inside, i.e. directly from the stomach and duodenum.
In contrast to ultrasound via the abdominal wall, endosonography is not influenced by air in the intestine or the shape of the body. It provides particularly sharp images of even very small changes.
For you, this means earlier diagnosis, clearer conclusions and better treatment planning.
When is the examination useful?
Endosonography is recommended when other examinations - such as ultrasound, CT or MRI - do not provide a clear answer or when a particularly precise assessment is required. Common reasons are
- unclear liver changes or liver nodules
- Suspicion of narrowing or tumors of the bile ducts
- recurrent upper abdominal pain without a clear cause
- portal hypertension (e.g. with liver cirrhosis)
- Suspected portal vein thrombosis
- unclear bile duct dilatation
- Changes in the area of the hepatic hilus
Endosonography is often the key to finally obtaining clarity - especially in the case of findings that are difficult to assess using normal ultrasound.
How does the examination work?
Endosonography is performed in our practice on an outpatient basis. The procedure is similar to a gastroscopy and is uncomplicated for most patients:
Preliminary discussion and information: We discuss your symptoms, previous illnesses and medication - especially blood thinners.
Sedation injection / brief sedation: You will fall asleep relaxed during the examination and will not feel a thing.
Performing the EUS: The endoscope is carefully passed through the mouth into the stomach. From there, we create detailed ultrasound images of the liver, the bile ducts and the surrounding vessels.
Targeted tissue samples (if necessary): If a finding is conspicuous, we can take a tissue sample directly and safely using a fine needle - without additional surgery.
Recovery in our practice: After the examination, you will rest briefly. You can then go home - but please do not drive yourself. The entire appointment usually takes between 90 and 120 minutes.
Why is endosonography so valuable?
Many diseases of the liver and bile ducts are difficult to assess from the outside. Endosonography offers decisive advantages here:
- extremely high image resolution due to the proximity to the organ
- early detection of even small changes
- better differentiation between benign and malignant findings
- Possibility of direct tissue sampling
- precise assessment of the vessels in the liver hilus
- important information for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension
Particularly in the case of unclear findings, this examination helps to dispel uncertainties and create a suitable treatment plan.
Is endosonography safe?
Yes, endosonography is considered a very safe and gentle procedure. Mild side effects such as a scratchy throat or tiredness due to the sedative are possible, but more serious complications are very rare.
At VIVOMED, we specialize in endoscopic-ultrasound-assisted diagnostics and carry out the examination regularly with great care.
Who is endosonography suitable for?
For all patients from Bern and the whole of German-speaking Switzerland in whom
- Changes in the liver have been discovered,
- Have symptoms that remain unexplained despite ultrasound or MRI,
- a disease of the bile ducts is suspected,
- cirrhosis of the liver is present and the severity needs to be better assessed,
- a second opinion or a particularly precise examination is required.
Endosonography can provide decisive answers to all these questions.
Vivomed - Gastroenterology Bern - liver diagnostics from a single source. We take time for you - from clarification and diagnosis to discussion of the results and further treatment.