‘A trigger for celebration’: Cambridge Memorial Hospital acquires very important diagnostic software often called endoscopic ultrasound
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Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) was abuzz with the quiet whirring of a brand new instrument: an endoscopic ultrasound, whose presence, marked the “end result of years of advocacy from physicians and sufferers,” shared Agustin Nguyen, MD, chief of Medication at CMH.
Gastroenterologist Dan Kottachchi, MD, was grateful to have entry to the gear, which he says stays “underutilized in Ontario,” however which has the potential to “have a big affect on sufferers because it is a vital diagnostic software with big advantages when staging cancers.”
WHAT IS AN ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND?
An endoscopic ultrasound is a medical process that entails the interior evaluation of the digestive tract and neighbouring organs and tissues through a skinny and versatile tube geared up with a “high-definition digicam,” and a tool that emits ultrasound frequency.
Such a tool is used to generate “high-resolution ultrasound photos,” which in line with Kottachchi “offers [CMH clinicians] with the means to supply extra to the affected person by the way in which of prognosis, remedy, and even ache reduction for enhanced palliative care.”
HOW THE ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND WILL “CHANGE PATIENT CARE” IN CAMBRIDGE AND THE WATERLOO REGION
“There are some interventions carried out (with using endoscopic ultrasound) that enhance survival in sure most cancers conditions,” Kottachchi eagerly defined, citing an instance with direct profit for pancreatic most cancers sufferers who typically undergo from debilitating nerve-related ache that deters them from consuming, leading to malnutrition.
“Endoscopic ultrasound facilitates direct injection of anesthetic, and even ablative therapies to the nerve roots to assist enhance survival in [pancreatic cancer patients.”
Kottachchi added that the procedure is also important for early disease detection. Kottachchi recalled how in one instance, a patient went to emergency with “generalized abdominal pain” for which a CT scan indicated a dilated bile duct. “That was it,” he emphasized, expanding that the “blood work was fine.”
But when Kottachchi assessed him with the help of the endoscopic ultrasound, the ultrasound images displayed an early cholangiocarcinoma — otherwise known as bile duct cancer. According to Kottachchi, these types of cancer usually present very late after symptoms such as jaundice — yellowing of the skin and eyes — show.
“But in this case, this gentleman just presented with some discomfort,” Kottachchi explained, adding that using this technology, Kottachchi and his colleagues were able to diagnose the patient with stage one cancer, the earliest point of intervention, and the “best chance of survival.” Kottachchi noted that in this case, the time to diagnosis was shortened from months to weeks.
“Those are just two examples of how this modality will change patient care in our region,” said Kottachchi.
CMH WILL BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO ONGOING CLINICAL TRIALS THANKS TO THE ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND PROGRAM
The new endoscopic ultrasound instrument is also outfitted with a small needle to perform biopsies — acquisition of samples like fluid or tissue, which Kottachchi emphasizes will be critical for “hard to reach organs,” and to “even remove lesions without having to send the patient to surgery.”
“We are collaborating with the local and regional oncology groups to ensure that any tissue sampling that we acquire is adequate to enrol patients (in)to new immunotherapy (biological-based therapy) clinical trials,” Kottachchi elaborated about the technology’s potential.
WHAT ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND MEANS TO THE CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY AND THE WATERLOO REGION
Lisa Short, executive director of the CMH Foundation, alluded that having this instrument as part of CMH’s diagnostic tools infuses a sense of pride in Cambridge and Waterloo region residents, whose donations directly fund hospital equipment.
Nguyen estimated that the new endoscopic ultrasound “should keep up to 450 people a year from having to go elsewhere” in search of this procedure.
“The foundation is currently fundraising for a new MRI machine that has been vital to patient care since 1982,” said Short. “Through Trees of Caring — a 34-year tradition — CMH raises money by honouring a loved one with a light bulb, or a string of lights on our Tree of Caring, a well-honoured tradition in the community.”
