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Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound examination of the gallbladder and bile ducts: A pictorial essay
Author(s) -
Cokkinos Demosthenes D.,
Antypa Eleni G.,
Tsolaki Sofia,
Skylakaki Maria,
Skoura Alkmini,
Mellou Vassiliki,
Kalogeropoulos Ioannis
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/jcu.22537
Subject(s) - medicine , gallbladder , contrast enhanced ultrasound , ultrasound , radiology
The gallbladder and bile ducts are usually assessed initially with conventional gray‐scale ultrasound (US). Contrast enhanced US (CEUS) is used when a diagnosis cannot be reached with conventional US. CEUS is easy to learn and perform. US contrast agents can be safely administered in patients with renal function impairment. In this pictorial essay the physics, examination technique and indications of CEUS for examining the gallbladder and bile ducts are reviewed. Gallbladder indications include elucidating normal variants, differentiating sludge from neoplastic lesions, benign and malignant pathology, infection, wall rupture and hemobilia. In the biliary tree CEUS is used for studying benign and malignant tumors, including metastases and cholangiocarcinoma, as well as intrabiliary injection.