Abstract
One of the many imaging uses of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is studying a wide variety of kidney pathology, due to its ability to detect microvascular blood flow in real time without affecting renal function. CEUS enables dynamic assessment and quantification of microvascularisation up to capillary perfusion. The objective of this paper is to briefly refresh basic knowledge of ultrasound (US) contrast agents' physical properties, to study technical details of CEUS scanning in the kidneys, and to review the commonest renal indications for CEUS, with imaging examples in comparison to baseline unenhanced US and computed tomography when performed. Safety matters and limitations of CEUS of the kidneys are also discussed.
Highlights
Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an imaging technique that has gained in the last decade high acceptance among radiologists
It can be performed for characterising complex cystic renal masses and grading them with the Bosniak system, imaging renal ischaemia, infections, and trauma, as well as facilitating vascular imaging for renal artery stenosis
CEUS can be performed for the assessment of percutaneous ablation therapy for kidney tumours. This technique offers many advantages in comparison to other imaging modalities, a very important one being that US contrast agents do not affect renal function. It can be used in routine clinical practice, improving detection and characterisation of many entities and reducing the number of additional imaging examinations
Summary
Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an imaging technique that has gained in the last decade high acceptance among radiologists. CEUS can be performed for a wide variety of indications in practically all parts of the human body It is of particular usefulness for answering many clinical questions in the kidneys, including detection and characterisation of lesions, based on differences between lesion and organ perfusion, differentiation between solid renal masses and pseudotumours, as well as between cystic and solid lesions. CEUS can be performed for the assessment of percutaneous ablation therapy for kidney tumours This technique offers many advantages in comparison to other imaging modalities, a very important one being that US contrast agents do not affect renal function. It can be used in routine clinical practice, improving detection and characterisation of many entities and reducing the number of additional imaging examinations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
