Laparoscopic Ultrasound

What is LUS:

Laparoscopic ultrasonography (LUS) is an imaging modality that combines laparoscopy and ultrasonography. The  advantage of LUS is the ability to scan beneath visible surfaces and to scan target organs under direct vision with direct contact between the organ and the ultrasound transducer.

The first prototypes for LUS were developed in 1963 and were described by Yamakawa , but it was not until 1982 that technical improvements resulted in equipment appropriate for clinical use (for more LUS history) . The first probes used rotating mechanical transducers, and were rigid with a diameter of 10-12 mm. Electronic transducers attached to small diameter probes with flexible tips were then introduced in 1994 . The latest developments are probes, which are flexible in all directions (pictures). This should, theoretically, allow target visualization from different directions using the same trocar site. These electronic transducers are further equipped with Doppler facilities as well as colour flow mapping which can guide the differentiation between vascular and non-vascular structures. Recently, dedicated LUS probes with biopsy guidance facilities have become available and in addition, three-dimensional laparoscopic ultrasonography (3D-LUS) has been described.