Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Image-Guided Procedures

Abstract

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) uses intravenously injected gas microbubbles as a pure blood pool contrast agent to demonstrate blood flow and tissue perfusion at a much higher sensitivity than color Doppler and power Doppler ultrasound. CEUS has gained traction in abdominal diagnostic imaging for improved lesion detection and characterization as well as a complementary problem-solving tool to CT and MRI. In addition to its diagnostic applications, CEUS has also proven useful for pre-procedure planning, procedure guidance, and post-procedure evaluation. This review provides a practical overview and guide to the application of CEUS in percutaneous, ultrasound guided, needle driven procedures, focusing on two common procedures, which illustrate the many benefits of CEUS– core needle biopsy (CNB) and percutaneous hepatic lesion ablation.