Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) helps physicians accurately diagnose some forms of liver cancer – and does so more safely and less expensively than computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR), according to a report just published in Hepatoma Research.
“CEUS provides exquisite vessel resolution and is a completely non-invasive imaging option that produces the same information as CT and MR, which have historically been used to diagnose focal liver lesions,” according to Dr. Stephanie Wilson, head of the department of radiology at the University of Calgary and lead author of the report.
Citing the “unique benefits” of CEUS, Wilson noted that results are obtained in real-time and provide superior temporal resolution compared to other imaging modalities. In addition, CEUS is performed with a purely intravascular contrast agent that provides accurate images throughout all phases of the imaging process.
Wilson observed that since CEUS requires no ionizing radiation it can be a superior imaging option for children as well as adults.
“In addition, ultrasound is portable and may be brought to a patient’s bedside, so it is often less disruptive for a patient,” according to Wilson.
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