You shouldn't drive, drink alcohol or operate machinery during this time. You'll need to arrange for someone to pick you up from the hospital and stay with you for the next 24 hours. If you had an endoscopic ultrasound and were given a sedative to help you relax, you'll usually be advised to stay in hospital for a few hours until the medication starts to wear off. If a sedative wasn't used, you can drive, eat, drink and return to your other normal activities straightaway. In most cases, there are no after-effects and you can go home soon after the scan is finished. You may also be given a mouth guard to keep your mouth open and protect your teeth, in case you bite the endoscope. You'll usually be given a sedative to keep you calm and local anaesthetic spray to numb your throat, as an endoscopic ultrasound scan can be uncomfortable and may make you feel sick. Once it's been inserted into the body, sound waves are used to create images in the same way as an external ultrasound. The endoscope has a light and an ultrasound device on the end. You'll usually be asked to lie on your side as the endoscope is carefully pushed down towards your stomach. LA LOUVIERE / ASTIER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY ĭuring an endoscopic ultrasound scan, an endoscope is inserted into your body, usually through your mouth, to examine areas such as your stomach or food pipe (oesophagus). There will be a toilet nearby to empty your bladder once the scan is complete. If you're having a scan of your womb or pelvic area, you may have a full bladder that causes you a little discomfort. You shouldn't feel anything other than the sensor and gel on your skin (which is often cold). This also ensures there's continuous contact between the probe and the skin. It can also be used to examine the liver, kidneys and other organs in the tummy and pelvis, as well as other organs or tissues that can be assessed through the skin, such as muscles and joints.Ī small handheld probe is placed on your skin and moved over the part of your body being examined.Ī lubricating gel is put on your skin to allow the probe to move smoothly. External ultrasound scanĪn external ultrasound scan is most often used to examine the heart or an unborn baby in the womb.
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