Abstract
Background and Aims
Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a minimally invasive diagnostic tool available for diagnosing microvascular disturbances in tumors and many vascular pathologies. Unlike other radiological contrast agents, it is completely harmless for CKD patients and therefore it is used for the safe diagnosis of many diffuse or focal pathologies.
Method
We used CEUS examination in 50 CKD patients for the following pathologies: 10 atypical cysts, 15 liver focal lesions, 2 splenic focal lesions, 3 renal infarcts, 12 kidney focal lesions and 8 other organ involvements.
Examination was made using a VOLUSON E8 machine (GE Medical System Kreztechnik GmbH Tiefenbach 15, Austria) with a 3.5 MHz convex array abdominal transducer. 2.4 ml of microbubble contrast-agent was administered intravenously and recording of the results were made for 3-5 minutes after injection.
Results
Depending on the organ vascular characteristics, contrast enhancement and/or wash-out were suggestive for the final diagnosis. In liver lesions there are three phases and in kidneys, spleen, gallbladder, adenopathies there are two vascular phases. We obtained a very good positive predictive value and sensitivity in detecting malignant lesions.
Conclusion
According to The EFSUMB Guidelines and Recommendations for the Clinical Practice of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound they are used both for hepatic and Non-Hepatic Applications. Being non-invasive and non-irradiating it could be the main diagnostic examination in CKD population in the future.
Elastography and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography in the Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in an Experimental Model of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
