The evolution of endoscopic ultrasound in Saudi Arabia: an expert review of clinical practice and literature.

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has emerged as a cornerstone in gastrointestinal diagnostics and therapeutics worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, however, its development has not yet been comprehensively reviewed in the context of evolving clinical practice and training needs.

AREAS COVERED: This narrative review synthesises published literature between 2000 and April 2025 to map the progression of EUS practice in Saudi Arabia. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and regional academic repositories was performed. Inclusion criteria targeted studies reporting on diagnostic or therapeutic EUS performed in Saudi healthcare institutions. Nine relevant publications were identified, including original research, case series, and survey-based data. Early studies highlighted EUS's role in diagnosing pancreatic lesions, choledocholithiasis, and subepithelial tumors. More recent reports demonstrated therapeutic advances such as biliary drainage, liver abscess management, and EUS-guided liver biopsy. One multinational survey provided insight into local training infrastructure gaps and simulator access.

EXPERT OPINION: EUS in Saudi Arabia is transitioning from a specialized diagnostic modality to a broader interventional platform. To fully realize its potential, coordinated efforts in workforce training, national procedural registries, and multicentre collaboration will be essential to standardize access and quality across the Kingdom.