Endoscopic ultrasound: contrast enhancement

Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2012 Apr;22(2):349-58, xi. doi: 10.1016/j.giec.2012.04.013. Epub 2012 May 9.

Abstract

The development of ultrasound contrast agents has allowed for the evaluation of vascularity in digestive organs by contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Contrast-enhanced Doppler EUS and contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CH-EUS) have improved characterization of pancreatic tumors, lymph nodes, and gastrointestinal submucosal tumors and compliment EUS fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in identifying malignant tumors. Moreover, CH-EUS can be used to identify the target for EUS-guided FNA by clearly depicting the outline of the lesions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Blood Vessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Contrast Media*
  • Endosonography*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Pancreas / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreas / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional

Substances

  • Contrast Media