Title:Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound for Liver Imaging: Recent Advances
Volume: 18
Issue: 15
Author(s): Veronica Salvatore, Alberto Borghi and Fabio Piscaglia
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, fusion imaging, microbubbles, liver tumor diagnosis, contrast quantification
Abstract: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), providing relevant informations not available with non-enhanced ultrasonography,
greatly impacted the practice of liver imaging. The characterization of focal liver lesions (FLLs), is obtained in a rapid, accurate and
safe way and is considered the main hepatic indication; however CEUS offers other established or emergent relevant applications. Metastases
detection and assessment of response to locoregional tumor treatment are accepted applications with specific indications. Needle
guidance in case of poorly or non visible target lesions at conventional ultrasound is also accepted. The early assessment of response to
systemic treatment, and in particular to antiangiogenic ones, by quantification software is an emergent application.
The manageability of CEUS determined also its use in the operating theatre, improving the accuracy of intraoperatory US with a significant
impact on final surgical strategy. In cirrhotic patients, the role of CEUS was proven highly accurate and sensitive in the characterization
of portal vein thrombosis, by identification of contrast arterial enhancement inside the thrombus, that occurs only in case of neoplastic
origin.
In recent years microbubbles taken up by Kupffer cells, thus possessing a ”postvascular“ phase, were registered as ultrasound contrast
agent in Japan (Sonazoid). During the post-vascular phase tumoral tissue tend to appear as a contrast defect image due to the lack of
Kupffer cells, strongly contributing to tumor staging beside characterization.
Newly developed techniques, such as fusion imaging or real-time three dimensional US, in addition to other applications of CEUS, in
terms of post-transplantation or cholecystitis-related complications, have been recently proposed and will be discussed.
