Endoscopic ultrasound and the liver: current applications and beyond.

The diagnosis and management of many gastrointestinal conditions has been augmented by the development of endoscopic ultrasound. Its role in the diagnosis and management of liver disease has been somewhat limited, but with the rapid development of therapeutic advancements it has quickly emerged as a useful tool in the management of complex hepatic conditions. This includes its use in the management of complications of portal hypertension as well as its use in liver lesions and cancer. In this paper, we review case studies, case series and trials for hepatic applications of endoscopic ultrasound to provide an overview of its utilization in this field and demonstrating its more novel applications for future use.