title: [Intraluminal sonography in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases].
abstract: Endosonography is an imaging method whereby a high frequency ultrasound probe is inserted into a body cavity with or without under endoscopic control. Examination of the gastrointestinal tract is performed using special echo-endoscopes or trans-endoscopic mini-probes. The gastrointestinal wall, mediastinum, pancreas, bile ducts, retroperitoneum, and other structures surrounding the gastrointestinal tract are target organs for endosonography. A detailed image of pathological processes can thus be obtained. The method can be used both for primary diagnosis of lesions and in follow-up of gastrointestinal diseases. It is accurate in local staging of cancer and in detecting small lesions. There are some limitations for optimal examination like stenoses or other factors prohibiting a precise positioning of the ultrasound transducer. The clinical importance of endo-sonographic examinations must be continuously evaluated on the basis of new technical modalities and changes in therapeutic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Innere Medizin, Haukeland Universitätsklinik, Universität Bergen, Norwegen. svein.odegaard@haukeland.no
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Odegaard
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Nesje
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hausken
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thierley
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Gilja
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Takvam
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Molin
mesh_terms: D019160:Endosonography; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans