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The evolving role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in urology: a review

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Abstract

Purpose

Ultrasound’s versatility and ease of use has expanded its application in many clinical settings. Technological advancements with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) have allowed high quality imaging similar to CT or MRI with lower risk of contrast toxicity and radiation exposure. In this review article we examine the development of CEUS and its vast applications in the field of urology.

Methods

A PubMed literature search was performed using keywords: contrast enhanced ultrasound, prostate cancer, renal cancer, and multiparametric ultrasound.

Results

The development of CEUS has improved transrectal ultrasound imaging with increased detection of prostate cancer (PCa). Further enhancements of CEUS such as subharmonic imaging (SHI), flash replenishment imaging (FRI) and contrast ultrasound dispersion imaging (CUDI) allow improved PCa diagnosis. CEUS has also emerged as an important tool in characterizing suspicious renal mass without compromising renal function with contrast imaging.

Conclusion

CEUS has modernized imaging and diagnosis of prostate and renal cancer. Future advancements and utilization of CEUS will allow its expansion into other urological subspecialties.

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Funding

This work was supported by National Institute of Health (NIH) Grants Numbered: R01 CA118003, R21 CA202214, R01 CA25231.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, 1025 Walnut St. Ste. 1100, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Andrew Salib, Thenappan Chandrasekar, Paul H. Chung & Edouard J. Trabulsi

  2. Department of Radiology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Ethan Halpern, John Eisenbrey & Flemming Forsberg

Authors
  1. Andrew Salib
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  2. Ethan Halpern
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  3. John Eisenbrey
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  4. Thenappan Chandrasekar
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  5. Paul H. Chung
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  6. Flemming Forsberg
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  7. Edouard J. Trabulsi
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Contributions

AS: project development, manuscript writing, and data collection. EH: manuscript writing and data collection. JE: manuscript writing. TC: manuscript writing. PHC: manuscript writing. FF: manuscript writing and data collection. EJT: project development, manuscript writing, and data collection.

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Correspondence to Edouard J. Trabulsi.

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Salib, A., Halpern, E., Eisenbrey, J. et al. The evolving role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in urology: a review. World J Urol 41, 673–678 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-022-04088-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-022-04088-y

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