title: Real-time contrast-enhanced and real-time virtual sonography in the assessment of benign liver lesions.
abstract: Imaging techniques, in particular ultrasonography, have led to great advances in clinical hepatology in the past few decades. The introduction of second-generation contrast agents and the development of contrast specific techniques have opened new prospects in the detection and characterization of liver lesions. New hybrid imaging techniques that combine in real-time transabdominal ultrasound with other cross-sectional imaging techniques (CT or MR) might add even more valuable information in the cases with focal lesions. The aim of this review is to describe the role of real-time contrast-enhanced and real-time virtual sonography in the assessment of benign liver lesions.
authors.affiliation: Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Petru Rares Str. 2, Craiova, Romania. larisasandulescu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Larisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sandulescu
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saftoiu
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dumitrescu
authors.forename: Tudorel
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ciurea
mesh_terms: D018248:Adenoma, Liver Cell / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D020518:Focal Nodular Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media