Ultrasonography.  2014 Jul;33(3):161-169.

Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography: advance and current status

• Jang SI
• Lee DK

Abstract

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) technology has undergone a great deal of progress along with the color and power Doppler imaging, three-dimensional imaging, electronic scanning, tissue harmonic imaging, and elastography, and one of the most important developments is the ability to acquire contrast-enhanced images. The blood flow in small vessels and the parenchymal microvasculature of the target lesion can be observed non-invasively by contrast-enhanced EUS (CE-EUS). Through a hemodynamic analysis, CE-EUS permits the diagnosis of various gastrointestinal diseases and differential diagnoses between benign and malignant tumors. Recently, mechanical innovations and the development of contrast agents have increased the use of CE-EUS in the diagnostic field, as well as for the assessment of the efficacy of therapeutic agents. The advances in and the current status of CE-EUS are discussed in this review.

Keyword

Endosonography; Image enhancement; Ultrasonography; Contrast media; Microbubbles

MeSH Terms

Contrast Media
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Elasticity Imaging Techniques
Endosonography*
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Hemodynamics
Image Enhancement
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Microbubbles
Microvessels
Ultrasonography
Contrast Media