Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024 Apr;129(4):536-548.
doi: 10.1007/s11547-024-01784-0. Epub 2024 Mar 21.

Tips and tricks for a correct interpretation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Irene Campo  1 , Antonio Granata  2 , Lorenzo E Derchi  3 , Gianluca Piccoli  4 , Paolo Cassetti  5 , Maria Assunta Cova  5   6 , Michele Bertolotto  5   6
Affiliations
Review

Tips and tricks for a correct interpretation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Irene Campo et al. Radiol Med. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Although contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a widespread and easily manageable technique, image interpretation errors can occur due to the operator's inexperience and/or lack of knowledge of the frequent pitfalls, which may cause uncertain diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Indeed, knowledge of the basic physical and technical principles of ultrasound is needed both to understand sonographic image findings and to evaluate the potential and limits of the method. Like the B-mode ultrasound, the quality of the CEUS examination is also subject not only to the adequate manual skill of the operator but also to his/her deep knowledge of the technique which improves the quality of the image helping avoid misleading artifacts. In this review, the main parameters influencing a CEUS examination will be described by taking into account the most common errors and pitfalls and their possible solutions.

Keywords: CEUS-tips and tricks; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound artifact; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound technique; Ultrasound.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Sidhu PS, Cantisani V, Dietrich CF et al (2018) The EFSUMB guidelines and recommendations for the clinical practice of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in non-hepatic applications: update 2017 (Long Version). Die EFSUMB-Leitlinien und Empfehlungen für den klinischen Einsatz des kontrastverstärkten Ultraschalls (CEUS) bei nicht-hepatischen Anwendungen. Ultraschall Med 39(2):e2–e44. https://doi.org/10.1111/1754-9485.13149 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bertolotto M, Campo I, Sachs C et al (2021) Contrast-enhanced ultrasound after successful cryoablation of benign and malignant renal tumours: how long does tumour enhancement persist? J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 65(3):272–278. https://doi.org/10.1111/1754-9485.13149 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Faccioli N, Santi E, Foti G et al (2022) Cost-effectiveness analysis of including contrast-enhanced ultrasound in management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms. Radiol med 127:349–359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-022-01459-8 - DOI - PubMed - PMC
    1. Dietrich CF, Averkiou M, Nielsen MB et al (2018) How to perform contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Ultrasound Int Open 4(1):E2–E15. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-123931 - DOI - PubMed - PMC
    1. Dietrich CF, Nolsøe CP, Barr RG et al (2020) Guidelines and good clinical practice recommendations for contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the liver-update 2020-WFUMB in Cooperation with EFSUMB, AFSUMB, AIUM, and FLAUS. Aktualisierte Leitlinien und Empfehlungen für die gute klinische Praxis für CEUS der Leber. Ultraschall in der Medizin 41(5):562–585. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1177-0530 - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources