This text stresses the importance of Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) - the combination of flexible endoscopy and ultrasound (U/S) - as a tool to see beyond the digestive tract into the human body, and in particular to visualize the pancreas, an endocrine organ which is hidden deep inside the retroperitoneum. Pancreatic cancer, which is increasing globally, remains one of the most aggressive and morbid cancers, and is only survivable if the cancer is detected early. EUS has become the primary tool used to diagnose such cancers, as well as a variety of other diseases affecting the pancreas. The text is intended for all physicians dealing with patients with pancreatic issues, and will provide them with indications and treatment algorithms for cost-effective referrals and diagnostic testing. For endoscopists an with interest in learning EUS, this book will guide them through this complex technology, helping them to better understand the physical and interpretational skills needed in order to perform pancreatic EUS in a simple and effective fashion.
Professor Leonardo Sosa-Valencia is an expert in pancreatic echoendoscopy. He is former President of the Venezuelan Gastroenterology Society, former Professor at West General Hospital and founder of CITé, a national referral center for EUS in Caracas-Venezuela. He is Adjunct Assistant Professor of the Department of Gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins University, USA. He has published over 58 articles and 7 book chapters, and is co-author of Compendio de Endosonografķa (2016). He is Director of the International EUS Therapeutic Course at the Institute of Image-Guided Surgery of Strasbourg, France, and a clinical doctor and senior researcher at Nouvel Hōpital Civil, France.Lee Swanström is an expert and innovator in minimally invasive surgery and surgical endoscopy. He is Professor of Surgery at Oregon Health and Science University, USA, and Chief Innovations Officer and Scientific Director of the Innovations Fellowship program of the Institutes des Hōpitaux Universitaires, University of Strasbourg, France. He is a director of the American Board of Surgery and has been president of multiple surgical societies and foundations, including the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, the Fellowship Council and the Foundation for Surgical Innovation and Education. He has published over 350 peer-reviewed papers, 88 book chapters and is the editor of the journal Surgical Innovation.
