title: Endocavitary contrast-enhanced ultrasound: a technique whose time has come?
abstract: Endocavitary use of contrast agents in sonography (US) is a relatively new method in diagnostic imaging, competing against gray-scale US, fluoroscopy, and endoscopy. This article describes established indications, demonstrates the techniques of evolving applications, and discusses their potential benefits. These benefits include the ability to obtain precise information about the placement of drains and the extent of fluid collections, and to accurately identify the location and features of strictures in various organs, and those of complications of fluid collections or abscesses, without resorting to ionizing radiation.
authors.affiliation: Klinikum am Steinenberg, Medizinische Klinik I, Reutlingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Blank
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leitlein
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kubicka
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heinzmann
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride
keywords: contrast-enhanced ultrasound; endocavitary; ultrasonography; ultrasound-guided intervention