The influence of esophagogastroduodenoscopy using carbon dioxide insufflation on abdominal ultrasonographic imaging efficiency.

PURPOSE: The ability to perform abdominal ultrasonography after esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is hypothesized to improve examination efficiency. Therefore, we performed abdominal ultrasonography before and after EGD to verify the effects of EGD on abdominal ultrasonographic imaging efficiency.

METHODS

We performed abdominal ultrasonography before, immediately after, 30 min after, and 60 min after EGD with carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation in 23 consecutive patients who visited our center between July 2015 and December 2016. We examined the visualization status of the head, body, and tail of the pancreas; extrahepatic bile duct; and inferior pole of the right kidney.

RESULTS

The visualization status of the pancreas decreased immediately after EGD in approximately 50% of patients; however, at 30 min and after, the status was almost the same as for imaging performed before endoscopy. Visualization of the extrahepatic bile duct decreased slightly immediately after the procedure; however, 30 min and later, it was almost the same as before endoscopy. The inferior pole of the right kidney was observable from the dorsal side and could be visualized at all examination points in all patients.

CONCLUSION

There was no difficulty in performing abdominal ultrasonography at 30 min or later following EGD with CO2 insufflation. Additionally, visualization of the head, body, and tail of the pancreas as well as the extrahepatic bile duct was improved in some patients.