Author/Authors :
Chiorean, Liliana Caritas Hospital - Department of Internal Medicine, Germany , Chiorean, Liliana des Cévennes Clinic - Department of Medical Imaging, France , Tana, Claudio Guastalla Hospital, AUSL Reggio Emilia - Internal Medicine Unit, Italy , Braden, Barbara Oxford University Hospitals - Translational Gastroenterology Unit, UK , Caraiani, Cosmin ‘Octavian Fodor’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and ‘Iuliu Haþieganu’ - Department of Radiology and Computed Tomography, Romania , Sparchez, Zeno “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Third Medical Clinic, Romania , Cui, Xin-Wu Huazhong University of Science and Technology - Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital - Department of Medical Ultrasound, China , Baum, Ulrich Caritas Hospital - Department of Radiology, Germany , Dietrich, Christoph F. Caritas Hospital - Department of Internal Medicine, Germany
Abstract :
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) represents a significant breakthrough in sonography. Due to US contrast agents (UCAs) and contrast-specific techniques, sonography offers the potential to show enhancement of liver lesions in a similar way as contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging techniques. The real-time assessment of liver perfusion throughout the vascular phases, without any risk of nephrotoxicity, represents one of the major advantages that this technique offers. CEUS has led to a dramatic improvement in the diagnostic accuracy of US and subsequently has been included in current guidelines as an important step in the diagnostic workup of focal liver lesions (FLLs), resulting in a better patient management and costeffective therapy. The purpose of this review was to provide a detailed description of contrast agents used in different cross-sectional imaging procedures for the study of FLLs, focusing on characteristics, indications and advantages of UCAs in clinical practice.
