Changing Trends in Endosonography: Linear Imaging and Tissue are Increasingly the Issue

The indications and uses of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are expanding. The role of EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is considered an essential aspect of EUS practice. A significant change in the indications and technology used for EUS has occurred. This study was designed to compare the use of radial, linear, and miniprobe endosonography equipment during a 10-year period in a single, large, EUS practice. A retrospective review of an EUS experience at a single high-volume center was performed. In this single-center experience, there has been an increase in the volume of EUS and EUS-FNA. For luminal cancer-staging cases, the radial echoendoscope is the predominant scope used for examination and has not changed significantly. In contrast, for pancreaticobiliary and mediastinal indications, the use of the linear array echoendoscope alone has increased and currently is the preferred scope for examination (33% vs. 76%, P < 0.001; 46% vs. 96%, P < 0.001). In these cases requiring EUS-FNA, the use of the linear array scope alone has increased from 17% to 73%. In this single-center experience, EUS has shifted from an imaging technology to an image-guided biopsy and therapeutic technology. The use of the linear array EUS alone has increased, especially in the evaluation of pancreatobiliary and mediastinal disease and when fine-needle aspiration is performed.