Interventional ultrasound

Interventional ultrasound, i.e., US-guided interventions, are diagnostic or therapeutic minimally invasive procedures guided by real-time ultrasound imaging, preferably using attachable needle steering devices. Guided fine- and coarse-needle biopsies of US-detectable abnormalities provide a firm basis for diagnosis and therapy. Multiple US-guided drainage and catheterization procedures such as nephrostomy, pleuracentesis, cholecystostomy, abscess drainage and central venous catheterization, etc., are rapid and safe alternatives to conventional drainage methods and open surgery. Devices and methods for US-guided minimally invasive focal tissue ablation are rapidly developing. Focal treatment of malignant tumours in the liver and prostate, using a variety of US-guided methods, are investigated. Complications of interventional ultrasound are reportedly low with a 0.19% overall complication rate and a 0.04% mortality rate. It is concluded that ultrasound provides a safe and cost-effective dynamic imaging modality for guidance of the increasing range of diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures.