Application of Molecular Imaging in Ultrasound Imaging Technology and Clinical

Diagnostic molecular imaging has been widely applied in cell biology and clinical nuclear imaging (PET and SPECT). Recently, much effort has been made in the research of molecular imaging with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. This is because that ultrasound is widely available, easy to perform, safe (no ionizing and noninvasive), patient-friendly and inexpensive (compared to MRI, CT and radionuclear imaging). High sensitivity for contrast agent detection makes this technique become one of most attractive future techniques for molecular imaging after radionuclear medicine. This review describes the basis for ultrasound molecular imaging, and current interesting research topics and potential clinical applications.