The latest generation of Fujifilm equipment has allowed Southmead Hospital endoscopy specialist, Dr Zeino Zeino, to set up a new endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) service. Having commenced on 15 May 2019, the service ensures accurate diagnosis while easing the pressure on other local hospitals in the process.

Endoscopic ultrasound is an imaging modality that has been widely adopted for diagnosing and treating digestive conditions. It provides clinicians with invaluable diagnostic information, allowing them to determine how advanced disease is and to select the appropriate treatment for each patient.

The three ultrasound endoscopes and new processor now at Southmead Hospital provide clinicians with the advanced diagnostic and therapeutic capability they require to offer patients the best possible care.

“Before we started the new EUS service, patients had to wait a long time for this procedure,” Dr Zeino explains. “Now we’re able to offer an accessible endoscopic ultrasound service, reduce waiting times, and work with our colleagues at other hospitals to ease their workload. The service also reduces the need for other invasive procedures, and the advanced imaging capability that EUS provides, allows us to make a more accurate and a quicker diagnosis.

“One of our first patients to be treated with the new equipment had been admitted to hospital twice before and had a pacemaker fitted which meant she couldn’t have an MRI scan. With EUS, we were able to determine that she had a stone in her bile duct, and made sure she was able to quickly get the right treatment.”

Due to their advanced design, the scopes are easy to maneuver and allow for a diagnosis to be made swiftly and safely, while the software platform is user friendly and intuitive to use; delivering images in various formats, such as Colour Doppler and Contrast Harmonic Imaging, depending on the requirement.

“Aquilant have been really supportive from the beginning,” Dr Zeino adds. “We’re immensely grateful to them and Fujifilm for being so accommodating through the process of obtaining funding and to the two local charities – Southmead Hospital Charity and League of Friends – for their support as well. This wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

With the service already proving to be effective in enhancing patient wellbeing, Dr Zeino predicts that demand for the service will continue to grow, and has already begun training his colleagues on how to use the system in preparation.