title: Technical aspects of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examinations: tips and tricks.
abstract: Ultrasound contrast agents have substantially extended the clinical value of ultrasound, allowing the assessment of blood flow and distribution in real-time down to microcapillary level. Selective imaging of contrast agent signals requires a contrast-specific imaging mode on the ultrasound scanner, allowing real-time separation of tissue and contrast agent signals. The creation of a contrast image requires a specific interaction between the insonated ultrasound wave and the contrast agent microbubbles, leading to persistent oscillation of the bubbles. Several technical and procedural parameters have a significant influence on the quality of CEUS images and should be controlled carefully to obtain good image quality and a reliable diagnosis. Achieving the proper balance between the respective parameters is a matter of technical knowledge and experience. Appropriate training and education should be mandatory for every investigator performing CEUS examinations.
authors.affiliation: Bracco Imaging Deutschland GmbH, Global Marketing Ultrasound, Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Greis
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008833:Microcirculation; D009991:Oscillometry; D011312:Pressure; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: CEUS; Ultrasound; artefacts; contrast; contrast agent dose; frame rate; gain; image quality; mechanical index; microbubble; presets