title: Role of contrast enhanced ultrasound in the assessment of biliary duct disease.
abstract: The introduction of microbubble contrast agents (CA), which act as blood pool tracers, has overcome the limitations of conventional B-Mode, colour or power Doppler ultrasound, enabling the display of parenchymal microvasculature. Initially, the use of CA was accepted for hepatic lesions. In the following years, experts have expanded recommendations, as a result of the method's efficiency in extrahepatic applications. In this article we review the methodology and the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the evaluation of biliary pathology. This new imaging tool allows a non invasive differential diagnosis of biliary lesions and a clearer delineation of the tumoral process.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Medical Department, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Ultrasound, Cluj Napoca, Romania, Email: zsparchez@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Zeno
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Spârchez
authors.affiliation: 3rd Medical Department, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Ultrasound, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Pompilia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Radu
mesh_terms: D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media