Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of benign and malignant liver lesions in children

Fang C, Anupindi SA, Back SJ, Franke D, Green TG, Harkanyi Z, Jüngert JM, Kwon JK, Paltiel HJ, Squires JH, Zefov VN, Mccarville MB (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Pediatric Radiology Springer Verlag (Germany)

DOI: 10.1007/s00247-021-04976-2

Abstract

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is increasingly being used in children. One of the most common referrals for CEUS performance is characterization of indeterminate focal liver lesions and follow-up of known liver lesions. In this setting, CEUS is performed with intravenous administration of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs). When injected into a vein, UCA microbubbles remain confined within the vascular network until they dissipate. Therefore, visualization of UCA within the tissues and lesions corresponds to true blood flow. CEUS enables continuous, real-time observation of the enhancement pattern of a focal liver lesion, allowing in most cases for a definite diagnosis and obviating the need for further cross-sectional imaging or other interventional procedures. The recent approval of Lumason (Bracco Diagnostics, Monroe Township, NJ) for pediatric liver CEUS applications has spurred the widespread use of CEUS. In this review article we describe the role of CEUS in pediatric liver applications, focusing on the examination technique and interpretation of main imaging findings of the most commonly encountered benign and malignant focal liver lesions. We also compare the diagnostic performance of CEUS with other imaging modalities for accurate characterization of focal liver lesions.

Involved external institutions

King's College Hospital (KCH) GB United Kingdom (GB) University of Pennsylvania US United States (USA) (US) Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH) / Hannover Medical School DE Germany (DE) Crouse Hospital US United States (USA) (US) Pál Heim Children's Hospital / Heim Pál Gyermekkórház HU Hungary (HU) University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern) US United States (USA) (US) Harvard University US United States (USA) (US) University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) US United States (USA) (US) Latifa Women and Children Hospital AE United Arab Emirates (AE) St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Fang, C., Anupindi, S.A., Back, S.J., Franke, D., Green, T.G., Harkanyi, Z.,... Mccarville, M.B. (2021). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of benign and malignant liver lesions in children. Pediatric Radiology. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00247-021-04976-2

MLA:

Fang, Cheng, et al. "Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of benign and malignant liver lesions in children." Pediatric Radiology (2021).

BibTeX: Download