The role of endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis of gallbladder diseases.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has recently played an increasing role in the diagnosis of gallbladder diseases. This review aims to summarize the role of EUS in the diagnosis of gallbladder lesions. EUS provides high-resolution images that can improve the diagnosis of gallbladder polypoid lesions and microlithiasis, in addition to evaluating gallbladder thickness and staging of gallbladder carcinoma. Contrast-enhancing agents may be useful for the differential diagnosis of gallbladder lesions, but the evidence of their effectiveness is still limited and further studies are required in this area to establish its usefulness. Endoscopic ultrasound combined with fine needle aspiration has played an increasing role in providing histological diagnosis of gallbladder tumors in addition to gallbladder thickening.
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
Tanyaporn
T
Chantarojanasiri
Department of Endoscopy, Nagoya University Hospital, 65 Tsuruma-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan. hirooka@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
Yoshiki
Y
Hirooka
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
Hiroki
H
Kawashima
Department of Endoscopy, Nagoya University Hospital, 65 Tsuruma-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
Eizaburo
E
Ohno
Department of Medicine, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Excellent Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
Pradermchai
P
Kongkam
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
Hidemi
H
Goto
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D061765:Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; D019160:Endosonography / Q000379:methods; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans
Diagnosis; Endoscopic ultrasound; Gallbladder