Pictorial Essay of Linear Endoscopic Ultrasound Examination of Pancreas Anatomy

Abstract

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a widely used imaging modality for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Understanding the anatomy is crucial during a curved linear EUS examination. Compared with other advanced endoscopic techniques, the learning curve for EUS is longer, and the training facilities for EUS are also not widely available. The interest and enthusiasm for EUS among endoscopists is limited by the long learning curve and the scarcity of training programs. Imaging of the pancreas is the most common indication of EUS examination, and many endoscopist often face difficulty in understanding the anatomy and orientation of the pancreas on linear EUS examination. In this article, we will discuss the problems encountered during linear EUS examination and how to overcome each problem with a station-wise pancreas examination.

Keywords

• endosonography
• pancreas
• anatomy
• education
• diagnostic imaging