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Practical advantages of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in abdominopelvic radiology

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Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are two of the workhorse modalities of abdominopelvic radiology. However, these modalities are not without patient- and technique-specific limitations that may prevent a timely and accurate diagnosis. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an effective, rapid, and cost-effective imaging modality with expanding clinical utility in the United States. In this pictorial essay, we provide a case-based discussion demonstrating the practical advantages of CEUS in evaluating a variety of pathologies in which CT or MRI was precluded or insufficient. Through these advantages, CEUS can serve a complementary role with CT and MRI in comprehensive abdominopelvic radiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9316, USA

    Praveen Ganti Ranganath & David T. Fetzer

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Alabama School of Medicine, 619 S 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA

    Michelle L. Robbin

  3. Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Susan J. Back

  4. Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, 1500 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Edward G. Grant

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  1. Praveen Ganti Ranganath
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  2. Michelle L. Robbin
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  5. David T. Fetzer
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Correspondence to David T. Fetzer.

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No funding was received for this work. No author reports relevant conflicts of interest. DTF has a research agreement with Philips Ultrasound, and is on the speaker’s bureau for Philips Ultrasound. EGG has a research grant from GE.

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Ranganath, P.G., Robbin, M.L., Back, S.J. et al. Practical advantages of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in abdominopelvic radiology. Abdom Radiol 43, 998–1012 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-017-1442-7

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