Advanced Pediatric Neurosonography Techniques: Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography, Elastography, and Beyond

Abstract

Recent technical advances in neurosonography continue broadening the diagnostic utility, sensitivity, and specificity of ultrasound for detecting intracranial abnormalities bed side. The clinical and functional applications of neurosonography have significantly expanded since the 1980s when transcranial Doppler sonography first allowed anatomic and hemodynamic delineation of the intracranial vessels through the thin temporal skull. In the past few years, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, elastography, 3D/4D reconstruction tools, and high-resolution microvessel imaging techniques have further enhanced the diagnostic significance of neurosonography. Given these advances, a thorough familiarity with these new techniques and devices is crucial for a successful clinical application allowing improved patient care. It is essential that future neurosonography studies compare these advanced techniques against the current "gold standard" computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to assure the accuracy of their diagnostic potential. This review will provide a comprehensive update on currently available advanced neurosonography techniques.

Keywords: Sonography; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; elastography.