Ultrasonography in gastroenterology.

Ultrasonography (US) is a safe and available real-time, high-resolution imaging method, which during the last decades has been increasingly integrated as a clinical tool in gastroenterology. New US applications have emerged with enforced data software and new technical solutions, including strain evaluation, three-dimensional imaging and use of ultrasound contrast agents. Specific gastroenterologic applications have been developed by combining US with other diagnostic or therapeutic methods, such as endoscopy, manometry, puncture needles, diathermy and stents.

Characterization of solid focal pancreatic lesions using endoscopic ultrasonography with real-time elastography.

OBJECTIVES. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of strain assessment in solid focal pancreatic lesions using real-time elastography in combination with endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). MATERIAL AND METHODS.

High-frequency ultrasonographic imaging of the gastrointestinal wall.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, with its layered structure, can be imaged by ultrasound using a transabdominal approach or intraluminal high-frequency probes. New ultrasound technology can be used to characterize tissue hardness, study motility in real-time, direct diagnostic and therapeutic intervention, evaluate GI wall perfusion and tissue viability, and perform 3D imaging. Ultrasound is a safe imaging modality, and development of smaller devices has improved its application as a flexible clinical tool, which also can be used bedside.

Freehand real-time elastography: impact of scanning parameters on image quality and in vitro intra- and interobserver validations.

Real-time elastography is a method for visualization of the elastic properties of soft tissue and may potentially enable differentiation between malignant and benign pathologic lesions. Our aim was to validate the method on a tissue-mimicking (TM) phantom and to evaluate the influence of different scanning parameters and investigator variability. A TM-phantom containing eight spherical inclusions with known storage modulus was examined using two different transducers on an ultrasound (US) scanner equipped with software for real-time elasticity imaging.

Morphology and motor function of the gastrointestinal tract examined with endosonography.

Endosonography is a useful tool for studying the morphology and motor function of the gastrointestinal tract. Intraluminal ultrasonography is the common denomination of ultrasound examinations using intracorporal transducers which are inserted into the GI tract. Thus, the visceral wall and adjacent structures can be imaged in detail.

3-D endobronchial ultrasonography--a post mortem study.

Endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) using balloon-embedded probes may cause airway obstruction and requires a rapid scanning procedure. Three-dimensional (3-D) postprocessing of sequential 2-D images may allow detailed studies on a rapidly acquired image volume. We applied a 3-D reconstruction program on EBUS recordings acquired with a radial-scanning probe during a controlled pullback procedure in water-filled airways in five corpses.

Subepithelial masses of the gastrointestinal tract evaluated by endoscopic ultrasonography.

Objectives: To diagnose and characterize subepithelial lesions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and search for markers of malignancy in stromal cell tumors.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with suspected subepithelial lesions at endoscopy were examined using miniature ultrasound probes, integrated ultrasound endoscopes, or both. Surgical treatment was considered if a solid lesion had a maximum diameter of at least 3 cm, mixed echogenicity, or an ill-defined or irregular border.