Anatomical aspects in ultrasonic endoscopy.

The combined use of gastroscopy and sonography will yield both methods an enhancement of its diagnostic range. By this new method, ultrasonography has to face new aspects of the examination. Endosonographical examinations were performed in 26 normal patients. The technique of endoscopic ultrasound tomography ( EUT ) is complicated and different because of the orientation, the predestined nature of the GI tract, and the limited movements within the GI tract. Seven standard positions are proposed: distal duodenum, papilla Vateri, bulbus duodeni, antrum ventriculi, corpus ventriculi, fundus ventriculi, and distal oesophagus. But up to now, there has been no general examination technique for the visualization of the individual organs. Nevertheless, with EUT new sonographic windows were opened. The first experiences show that the contours of organs and vessels may be imaged with a distinction unknown up to now. The sector and magnifying effect of EUT may contribute to the knowledge of anatomical, topographical and pathological conditions and changes.