title: Potential impact and utilization of ultrasound contrast media.
abstract: Advances in non-linear imaging combined with new generations of ultrasound contrast agents have broadened and improved the applications of sonography in general. New guidelines to the use of this novel technique from the European Federation of Societies of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) will support its dissemination in the wider clinical practice. The effective impact of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography has been more predominant in liver imaging with respect to detection and characterization of focal hepatic lesions. Whilst it is not regarded as competing with contrast-enhanced CT and MRI, there are specific clinical niches where its potential impact and utilization are more likely to be universal.
authors.affiliation: University of Glasgow, Radiology Department, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland. gpda01@udcf.gla.ac.uk
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leen
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Moug
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Horgan
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010743:Phospholipids; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride