Endoscopic Ultrasonography-guided Gallbladder Drainage for Acute Cholecystitis: from Evidence to Practice

With the evolution of the linear echoendoscope and the improved ability to direct a needle within the field of interest, the therapeutic potential of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has greatly expanded. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided transmural gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) may be the next frontier for therapeutic EUS. Since EUS-GBD was first described in 2007, recent reports have suggested it as an alternative to external gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis. EUS-GBD includes EUS-guided transmural nasogallbladder drainage, EUS-guided gallbladder aspiration, and EUS-guided transmural gallbladder stenting. Indications for the EUS-GBD technique as currently practiced, including equipment, technical details, complications, and efficacy are herein reviewed.