title: Our experiences using contrast-enhanced ultrasound in focal liver lesions.
abstract: In investigation of liver lesions, continuous observation of contrast behaviour is possible with, and is an important strength of, contrast ultrasound at a low mechanical index. In many institutions contrast enchanced ultrasound using SonoVue in focal liver lesions has become a routine investigation. At our department contrast ultrasound is predominantly used to further characterise lesions which appear uncharacteristic at grey-scale ultrasound. We were able to show that contrast ultrasound with SonoVue is superior or equal to CT in the majority of cases. Using contrast ultrasound after inconclusive grey-scale ultrasound testing often enables adequate lesion characterisation without the necessity of CT or MRI.
authors.affiliation: Medical University Innsbruck, Department of Radiology II, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. thomas.rettenbacher@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rettenbacher
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride