The University Clinical Center Tuzla (UKC Tuzla) has recently acquired new medical equipment as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize healthcare services and enhance the quality of diagnostics and treatment.
Among the newly delivered equipment is an endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) system, which will be utilized at the Clinic for Pulmonary Diseases. This advanced imaging technology serves as an important diagnostic tool for evaluating enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum and pulmonary hilus.
EBUS is performed during bronchoscopy and allows for real-time visualization of both the central and peripheral lung structures using a flexible bronchoscope inserted through the nose or mouth. It enables precise targeting of suspicious areas and minimally invasive sampling of lymph nodes and surrounding tissues.
Clinical indications for EBUS include: peripheral lung lesions, radiological or clinical suspicion of lung cancer metastasis to bronchopulmonary and mediastinal lymph nodes, reassessment of lymph node status following chemotherapy or radiotherapy, evaluation of lymphadenopathy due to other potential causes such as extrapulmonary metastases, lymphoma, sarcoidosis, or benign/reactive processes.
In addition to the endobronchial ultrasound system, the University Clinical Center Tuzla has also acquired two state-of-the-art ultrasound machines equipped with biopsy guides, one for the Urology Clinic and the other for the Gastroenterology Department of the Clinic for Internal Medicine.
The newly purchased ultrasound machine for the Gastroenterology Department includes a specialized probe for intestinal examinations, enabling the team to perform high-quality ultrasound imaging of the intestines for the first time. This addition significantly enhances diagnostic capabilities, particularly in the evaluation of large bowel conditions.
According to Prof. Dr. Mirela Bašić Denjagić, a gastroenterologist at the Clinic for Internal Medicine, the intestinal ultrasound will be primarily used to monitor disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Furthermore, it will play a valuable role in the diagnostic assessment of nonspecific abdominal symptoms that may indicate various conditions, including tumors, appendicitis, colitis, diverticulosis, and other inflammatory or obstructive bowel diseases.
Prof. Dr. Mirela Bašić Denjagić, the only certified gastroenterologist at UKC Tuzla specializing in intestinal ultrasound, completed her professional training in this advanced diagnostic method in Germany and Croatia. She emphasizes that one of the key advantages of intestinal ultrasound lies in its simplicity and non-invasive nature. Most notably, it allows for the early detection of changes in the intestinal wall, enabling timely diagnosis and intervention in the initial stages of various diseases.
The newly acquired medical equipment was funded by the Government of Tuzla Canton, based on a needs-based priority assessment conducted by the institution.
“The assessment revealed that a significant portion of our existing diagnostic equipment had reached the end of its operational life. This made the renewal of these tools with more modern and reliable technology an urgent priority,” stated Prof. Dr. Šekib Umihanić, Director of the University Clinical Center Tuzla.
He added, “The purchase of new medical equipment will greatly enhance our diagnostic and treatment capabilities, while also supporting more efficient work by our medical staff.”
