Practical Contrast Enhanced Liver Ultrasound

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is increasingly performed for focal liver lesion evaluation because of its high safety profile and ability to yield a definitive diagnosis in many patients, obviating multiphase CT or MRI. CEUS uses specific ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) that are exceedingly safe, without the risk of renal or liver toxicity. UCAs are cleared rapidly from the body, allowing for multiple injections during a single examination, with no potential for deposition in the patient. This review highlights the performance of CEUS for liver lesion evaluation and illustrates the imaging appearance of common liver lesions in children and adults.