Tutorial on the Use of Ultrasound Contrast Agent and Parametric Imaging (2023)-S5-CPH14-2023

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this presentation, the speaker delves into the clinical applications of ultrasound contrast, particularly focusing on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The talk begins by introducing ultrasound contrast agents like Lumison, which have been utilized in certain regions like Europe, Canada, and Asia for decades but only gained broader application in the United States post-2016 for liver lesion evaluations. At Einstein Medical Center, the speaker initiated a CEUS program due to the promising diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound microbubbles, which remain within the vascular system, unlike CT or MRI contrast agents that diffuse into tissues and are excreted by the kidneys and liver.<br /><br />The speaker elaborates on how ultrasound contrast agents, comprising gas-filled microbubbles, enhance imaging by oscillating under ultrasound waves. These enhance the visibility of vascular structures or lesions, aiding in better diagnosis. Key procedural tips include ensuring intravenous access and the target area’s reliable visibility on ultrasound. Operating the ultrasound requires specific technology like pulse inversion imaging where only microbubble signals are visualized. Numerous body regions such as the liver, kidneys, and bowel are now being effectively imaged using CEUS, revealing distinctions often indistinguishable via traditional ultrasound, CT, or MRI alone.<br /><br />Moreover, the speaker highlights cases from liver lesions to vascular anomalies in kidneys and aims to further explore applications in gynecology and interventional radiology. The promising use of CEUS in identifying characteristic enhancement patterns of benign versus malignant masses underscores its potential in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient management. The presentation concludes by pointing out future directions in microbubble technology, emphasizing its foundational role in revolutionizing ultrasound imaging practices.

Keywords

ultrasound contrast

contrast-enhanced ultrasound

CEUS

ultrasound microbubbles

liver lesion evaluation

diagnostic imaging

vascular structures

pulse inversion imaging

microbubble technology

interventional radiology