Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Safety of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in children for non-cardiac applications: a review by the Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR) and the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS)

  • Review
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The practice of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in children is in the setting of off-label use or research. The widespread practice of pediatric contrast-enhanced US is primarily in Europe. There is ongoing effort by the Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR) and International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) to push for pediatric contrast-enhanced US in the United States. With this in mind, the main objective of this review is to describe the status of US contrast agent safety in non-cardiac applications in children. The five published studies using pediatric intravenous contrast-enhanced US comprise 110 children. There is no mention of adverse events in these studies. From a European survey 948 children can be added. In that survey six minor adverse events were reported in five children. The intravesical administration of US contrast agents for diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux entails the use of a bladder catheter. Fifteen studies encompassing 2,951 children have evaluated the safety of intravesical US contrast agents in children. A European survey adds 4,131 children to this group. No adverse events could be attributed to the contrast agent. They were most likely related to the bladder catheterization. The existing data on US contrast agent safety in children are encouraging in promoting the widespread use of contrast-enhanced US.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The study by Valentini et al. [71] includes 74 patients not identified by gender.

References

  1. Larson DB, Johnson LW, Schnell BM et al (2011) Rising use of CT in child visits to the emergency department in the United States, 1995–2008. Radiology 259:793–801

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Pearce MS, Salotti JA, Little MP et al (2012) Radiation exposure from CT scans in childhood and subsequent risk of leukemia and brain tumors: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet 380:499–505

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Brenner D, Elliston C, Hall E et al (2001) Estimated risks of radiation-induced fatal cancer from pediatric CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol 176:289–296

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Goske MJ, Applegate KE, Boylan J et al (2008) Image Gently®: a national education and communication campaign in radiology using the science of social marketing. J Am Coll Radiol 5:1200–1205

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Darge K (2010) Voiding urosonography with US contrast agent for the diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux in children: an update. Pediatr Radiol 40:956–962

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Piskunowicz M, Kosiak W, Batko T (2012) Intravenous application of second-generation ultrasound contrast agents in children: a review of the literature. Ultraschall Med 33:135–140

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Papadopoulou F, Ntoulia A, Siomou E et al (2011) Safety of intravesical use of a second generation US contrast agent in children for vesicoureteric reflux detection. ECR Book of Abstracts, Insights Imaging 3:SS 1612, B-736

    Google Scholar 

  8. Piskunowicz M, Kosiak W, Irga N (2011) Primum non nocere? Why can’t we use second generation ultrasound contrast agents for the examination of children? Ultraschall in Med 32:83–85

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Nolsoe C, Piscaglia F, Dietrich CF et al (2011) Primum non nocere? Why can’t we use second generation ultrasound contrast agents for the examination of children? Ultraschall Med 32:85–86

    Google Scholar 

  10. Schreiber-Dietrich D, Dietrich CF (2012) Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and off-label use (in children). Ultraschall Med 33:295–296

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Esposito F, Di Serafino M, Sgambati P et al (2012) Ultrasound contrast media in paediatric patients: is it an off-label use? Regulatory requirements and radiologist’s liability. Radiol Med 117:148–159

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Darge K, CEUS task force of the Society for Pediatric Radiology (2011) Contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) in children: ready for prime time in the United States. Pediatr Radiol 41:1486–1488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. (2012) National Cancer Institute Radiation risks and pediatric computed tomography (CT): a guide for healthcare providers. Available via http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/causes/radiation/radiation-risks-pediatric-CT. Accessed 28 Jan 2013

  14. Karcaaltincaba M, Oguz B, Haliloglu M (2009) Current status of contrast-induced nephropathy and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in children. Pediatr Radiol 39:382–384

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Schulte-Uentrop L, Goepfert MS (2010) Anaesthesia or sedation for MRI in children. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 23:513–517

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Slovis TL (2011) Sedation and anesthesia issues in pediatric imaging. Pediatr Radiol 41:514–516

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Darge K (2008) Voiding urosonography with ultrasound contrast agents for the diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux in children. I. Procedure. Pediatr Radiol 38:40–53

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Darge K (2008) Voiding urosonography with US contrast agents for the diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux in children. II. Comparison with radiological examinations. Pediatr Radiol 38:54–63

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Conroy S, Choonara I, Impicciatore P et al (2000) Survey of unlicensed and off label drug use in paediatric wards in European countries. European Network for Drug Investigation in Children. BMJ 320:79–82

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Lindell-Osuagwu L, Korhonen MJ, Saano S et al (2009) Off-label and unlicensed drug prescribing in three paediatric wards in Finland and review of the international literature. J Clin Pharm Ther 34:277–287

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Bazzano AT, Mangione-Smith R, Schonlau M et al (2009) Off-label prescribing to children in the United States outpatient setting. Acad Pediatr 9:81–88

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Shah SS, Hall M, Goodman DM et al (2007) Off-label drug use in hospitalized children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 161:282–290

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Claudon M, Cosgrove D, Albrecht T et al (2008) Guidelines and good clinical practice recommendations for contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) - update 2008. Ultraschall Med 29:28–44

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Piscaglia F, Nolsøe C, Dietrich CF et al (2012) The EFSUMB guidelines and recommendations on the clinical practice of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS): update 2011 on non-hepatic applications. Ultraschall Med 33:33–59

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Riccabona M, Avni FE, Blickman JG et al (2008) Imaging recommendations in paediatric uroradiology: minutes of the ESPR workgroup session on urinary tract infection, fetal hydronephrosis, urinary tract ultrasonography and voiding cystourethrography, Barcelona, Spain, June 2007. Pediatr Radiol 38:138–145

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Riccabona M, Avni FE, Damasio MB et al (2012) ESPR Uroradiology Task Force and ESUR Paediatric Working Group – Imaging recommendations in paediatric uroradiology, part V: childhood cystic kidney disease, childhood renal transplantation and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in children. Pediatr Radiol 42:1275–1283

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Kopac M, Riccabona M, Haim M (2009) Contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography and genitography in a baby with ambiguous genitalia and urogenital sinus. Ultraschall Med 30:299–300

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Farina R, Pennisi F, La Rosa M et al (2008) Contrast-enhanced colour-Doppler sonography versus pH-metry in the diagnosis of gastro-oesophageal reflux in children. Radiol Med 113:591–598

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Levy JA, Noble VE (2008) Bedside ultrasound in pediatric emergency medicine. Pediatrics 121:e1404–e1412

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Moore CL, Copel JA (2011) Point-of-care ultrasonography. N Engl J Med 364:749–757

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Taylor GA (2000) Potential pediatric applications for US contrast agents: lessons from the laboratory. Pediatr Radiol 30:101–109

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Kiessling I, Bzyl J, Kiessling F (2011) Molecular ultrasound imaging and its potential for paediatric radiology. Pediatr Radiol 41:176–184

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. McCarville MB (2011) Contrast-enhanced sonography in pediatrics. Pediatr Radiol 41:S238–S242

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Claudon M, Barnewolt CE, Taylor GA et al (1999) Renal blood flow in pigs: changes depicted with contrast-enhanced harmonic US imaging during acute urinary obstruction. Radiology 212:725–731

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Taylor GA, Barnewolt CE, Claudon M et al (1999) Depiction of renal perfusion defects with contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography in a porcine model. AJR Am J Roentgenol 173:757–760

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Farhat W, Traubici J, Sherman C et al (2002) Reliability of contrast enhanced sonography with harmonic imaging for detecting early renal scarring in experimental pyelonephritis in a porcine model: preliminary results. J Urol 168:1114–1117

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Paltiel HJ, Kalish LA, Susaeta RA et al (2006) Pulse-inversion US imaging of testicular ischemia: quantitative and qualitative analyses in a rabbit model. Radiology 239:718–729

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Paltiel HJ, Padua HM, Gargollo PC et al (2011) Contrast-enhanced, real-time volumetric ultrasound imaging of tissue perfusion: preliminary results in a rabbit model of testicular torsion. Phys Med Biol 56:2183–2197

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. McCarville MB, Streck CJ, Dickson PV et al (2006) Angiogenesis inhibitors in a murine neuroblastoma model: quantitative assessment of intratumoral blood flow with contrast-enhanced gray-scale US. Radiology 240:73–81

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. McCarville MB (2008) New frontiers in pediatric oncologic imaging. Cancer Imaging 8:87–92

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Barnewolt CE, Jaramillo D, Taylor GA et al (2003) Correlation of contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography and conventional angiography of abduction-induced hip ischemia in piglets. AJR Am J Roentgenol 180:1731–1735

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Taylor GA, Barnewolt CE, Dunning PS (1998) Excitotoxin-induced cerebral hyperemia in newborn piglets: regional cerebral blood flow mapping with contrast-enhanced power Doppler US. Radiology 208:73–79

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Riccabona M, Uggowitzer M, Klein E et al (2000) Echo-enhanced color Doppler sonography in children and adolescents. J Ultrasound Med 19:789–796

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Uggowitzer MM, Kugler C, Riccabona M et al (1999) Cerebral arteriovenous malformations: diagnostic value of echo-enhanced transcranial Doppler sonography compared with angiography. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 20:101–106

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Doria AS, Guarniero R, Molnar LJ et al (2000) Three-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Pediatr Radiol 30:871–874

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Oldenburg A, Hohmann J, Skrok J et al (2004) Imaging of paediatric splenic injury with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Pediatr Radiol 34:351–354

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Doria AS, Kiss MH, Lotito AP et al (2001) Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis of the knee: evaluation with contrast-enhanced color Doppler ultrasound. Pediatr Radiol 31:524–531

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Doria AS, Guarniero R, Cunha FG et al (2002) Contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography: assessment of revascularization flow in Legg-Calvé-Perthes’ disease. Ultrasound Med Biol 28:171–182

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Bonini G, Pezzotta G, Morzenti C et al (2007) Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with SonoVue in the evaluation of postoperative complications in pediatric liver transplant recipients. J Ultrasound 10:99–106

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Valentino M, Serra C, Pavlica P et al (2008) Blunt abdominal trauma: diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced US in children – initial experience. Radiology 246:903–909

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Riccabona M (2012) Application of a second-generation US contrast agent in infants and children – a European questionnaire-based survey. Pediatr Radiol 42:1471–1480

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Claudon M, Dietrich CF, Choi BI et al (2013) Guidelines and good clinical practice recommendations for contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the liver – update 2012: a WFUMB-EFSUMB initiative in cooperation with representatives of AFSUMB, AIUM, ASUM, FLAUS and ICUS. Ultraschall Med 39:187–210

    Google Scholar 

  53. Darge K (2002) Diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux with ultrasound. Pediatr Nephrol 17:52–60

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Duran C, del Riego J, Riera L et al (2012) Voiding urosonography including urethrosonography: high-quality examinations with an optimised procedure using a second-generation US contrast agent. Pediatr Radiol 42:660–667

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Darge K, Troeger J (2002) Vesicoureteral reflux grading in contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography. Eur J Radiol 43:122–128

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Robrecht J, Darge K (2007) In-vitro comparison of a 1st and a 2nd generation US contrast agent for reflux diagnosis. Rofo 179:818–825

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Ascenti G, Zimbaro G, Mazziotti S et al (2004) Harmonic US imaging of vesicoureteric reflux in children: usefulness of a second generation US contrast agent. Pediatr Radiol 34:481–487

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Darge K, Beer M, Gordjani N et al (2004) Contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography with the use of a 2nd generation US contrast medium: preliminary results. Pediatr Radiol 34:S97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Papadopoulou F, Anthopoulou A, Siomou E et al (2009) Harmonic voiding urosonography with a second-generation contrast agent for the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux. Pediatr Radiol 39:239–244

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Kis E, Nyitrai A, Várkonyi I et al (2010) Voiding urosonography with second-generation contrast agent versus voiding cystourethrography. Pediatr Nephrol 25:2289–2293

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Ključevšek D, Battelino N, Tomažič M et al (2012) A comparison of echo-enhanced voiding urosonography with X-ray voiding cystourethrography in the first year of life. Acta Paediatr 101:e235–e239

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Papadopoulou F, Evangelou E, Riccabona M et al (2012) Contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography for diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux in comparison to conventional methods: a meta-analysis. ECR Book of Abstracts, Insights Imaging 3:SS 1712, B-0860

    Google Scholar 

  63. O’Hara SM (2001) Vesicoureteral reflux: latest option for evaluation in children. Radiology 221:283–284

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Piscaglia F, Bolondi L, Italian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (SIUMB) Study Group on Ultrasound Contrast Agents (2006) The safety of SonoVue in abdominal applications: retrospective analysis of 23,188 investigations. Ultrasound Med Biol 32:1369–1375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Zilberman MV, Witt SA, Kimball TR (2003) Is there a role for intravenous transpulmonary contrast imaging in pediatric stress echocardiography? J Am Soc Echocardiogr 16:9–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Sheil ML, Cartmill TB, Nunn GR et al (2003) Contrast echocardiography: potential for the in-vivo study of pediatric myocardial preservation. Ann Thorac Surg 75:1542–1548

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. McMahon CJ, Ayres NA, Bezold LI et al (2005) Safety and efficacy of intravenous contrast imaging in pediatric echocardiography. Pediatr Cardiol 26:413–417

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. McCarville MB, Kaste SC, Hoffer FA et al (2012) Contrast-enhanced sonography of malignant pediatric abdominal and pelvic solid tumors: preliminary safety and feasibility data. Pediatr Radiol 42:824–833

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Darge K, Troeger J, Duetting T et al (1999) Reflux in young patients: comparison of voiding US of the bladder and retrovesical space with echo enhancement versus voiding cystourethrography for diagnosis. Radiology 210:201–207

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Berrocal T, Gayá F, Arjonilla A et al (2001) Vesicoureteral reflux: diagnosis and grading with echo-enhanced cystosonography versus voiding cystourethrography. Radiology 221:359–365

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Valentini AL, Salvaggio E, Manzoni C et al (2001) Contrast-enhanced gray-scale and color Doppler voiding urosonography versus voiding cystourethrography in the diagnosis and grading of vesicoureteral reflux. J Clin Ultrasound 29:65–71

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Mentzel HJ, Vogt S, John U et al (2002) Voiding urosonography with ultrasonography contrast medium in children. Pediatr Nephrol 17:272–276

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Galia M, Midiri M, Pennisi F et al (2004) Vesicoureteral reflux in young patients: comparison of voiding color Doppler US with echo enhancement versus voiding cystourethrography for diagnosis or exclusion. Abdom Imaging 29:303–308

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Papadopoulou F, Tsampoulas C, Siomou E et al (2006) Cyclic contrast-enhanced harmonic voiding urosonography for the evaluation of reflux. Can we keep the cost of the examination low? Eur Radiol 16:2521–2526

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Piscitelli A, Galiano R, Serrao F et al (2008) Which cystography in the diagnosis and grading of vesicoureteral reflux? Pediatr Nephrol 23:107–110

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Kljucevsek D, Kljucevsek T, Kersnik Levart T et al (2009) Ureteric jet Doppler waveform: is it a reliable predictor of vesicoureteric reflux in children? Pediatr Nephrol 24:313–318

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Zerin JM, Shulkin BL (1992) Postprocedural symptoms in children who undergo imaging studies of the urinary tract: is it the contrast material or the catheter? Radiology 182:727–730

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Kljucevsek D, Kljucevsek T, Kersnik Levart T et al (2010) Catheter-free methods for vesicoureteric reflux detection: our experience and a critical appraisal of existing data. Pediatr Nephrol 25:1201–1206

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Snow BW (2011) New noninvasive methods to diagnose vesicoureteral reflux. Curr Opin Urol 21:339–342

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kassa Darge.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Darge, K., Papadopoulou, F., Ntoulia, A. et al. Safety of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in children for non-cardiac applications: a review by the Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR) and the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS). Pediatr Radiol 43, 1063–1073 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-013-2746-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-013-2746-6

Keywords

Navigation