Abstract
We evaluated the clinical efficiency of a new type of ultrasonic gastroendoscope for the diagnosis of digestive diseases. The ultrasonic gastroendoscope, which is developed by the cooperation of Toshiba Medical Co. and Machida Endoscope Co., has an ultrasonic probe incorporated inside the tip of a conventional fiberscope. The ultrasonic probe consists of a 3.5 MHZ, 36-element linear array, having a high resolution real time image of 15 frames/second with a view field of 3cm in width. This new method was clinically applied with success in 8 cases (1 gastric cancer, 2 gastric submucosal tumors, 2 hepatic tumors, 1 carcinoma of gallbladder, 1 pancreatic cancer and 1 chronic pancreatitis with stone formation). The most characteristic benefit of the present method is the direct scan from inside, instead of from outside, of the body, excluding possible interference by intraluminal gas. The picture obtained therefore shows better resolution than that of the conventional method. In the present experimental use, the ultrasonic characteristics of the heart valves, aorta, kidneys, liver, IVC, gallbladder, pancreas and gastric mucosa were well defined, which might contribute to the better ultrasonic diagnosis of digestive diseases. The present prototype should be further improved for the practical application in clinical use. It is expected, however, that the ultrasonic endoscope would paly a major role in the diagnosis of digestive diseases.
