Technical improvements over the past twenty years have made endos copy the procedure of choice for examination of the hollow organs of the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts. The development of electro surgical techniques, laser technology, injection therapy, and a wide variety of other modalities now allow the endoscopist to treat many problems that in the past required open surgery. The simultaneous development of transcutaneous abdominal sonography has had an equally dramatic impact on the practice of gastrointestinal and geni tourinary surgery. The marriage of these proven technologies, known as endoscopic sonography, provides an exciting new modality that promises to further revolutionize the diagnosis and management of many intraabdominal diseases. Endoscopic sonography opens new frontiers by overcoming the primary limitations of its parent technologies. Fiberoptic endoscopy is limited by the inability to see beyond the luminal surface, this is particularly important when considering neoplastic disease because depth of wall invasion is a key factor in determining treatment. The limiting factor in transcutaneous sonography is the distance between the transducer and the target organ. With endoscopic sonography, the transducer is placed in close proximity to the target organ. This allows the use of high frequency waves (greater than 5 MHz), which provide better tissue resolution and eliminates the image distortion caused by overlying structures.

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.

Investigation of anorectal disorders has become a very wide field reaching from case history and simple plain radiography to advanced techniques such as defecography, nuclear medicine, endosonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The place and value of defecography, thedynamic demonstration of bowel evacuation, have not previously been clearly defined. In this highly illustrated volume, radiologists experienced in thisfield describe techniques, radiation risks, and the interpretation of normal and abnormal findings using the aforementioned techniques of investigation. Anorectal surgeons and gastro- enterologists also participatein the discussion of indications and the influence of abnormal findings on patient management. This book will be helpful as a practical guide tothe choice, performance, and interpretation of the appropriate investigationfor a patient with functional anorectal disorders. As such it represents an excellent addition to the library of every physician and specialist withan interest in anorectal disease.

The introduction of endosonographically guided fine-needle biopsy has led to increasing use of longitudinal scans in the endosonographic diagnosis of tumors and other diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract as well as of the pancreas. In this handbook, experts concentrate primarily on practical aspects of using endosonography with longitudinal scans. Examination techniques, interpretation of the ultrasound images, and normal anatomy with important guiding structures are demonstrated by means of 3D CT images and the corresponding endosonographic images. In addition, pathological endosonographic findings and the current status of diagnosis using fine-needle biopsy are described.

This book covers the subject of endosonography in all its aspects: historical development, physical principles, and clinical application. It isa valuable contribution to the advancement of endosonography.