Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in diagnosis and characterization of focal hepatic lesions

Table 1 Indications for the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

Patients for whom the ultrasonography without contrast, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or cytology is not conclusive

Evaluation of lesions before percutaneous treatment to have a first image to compare after the procedure if necessary

Guidance of the needle or the probe during percutaneous treatment

Immediate evaluation of the lesion after percutaneous treatment to detect viable areas[24]

Follow-up of patients with liver lesions treated by percutaneous ethanol injection or radiofrequency ablation

Detection of liver tumors and study of its microcirculation

Evaluation of organ perfusion

Study of macrocirculation

Improvement of sensibility and specificity during intraoperative sonography