Harmonic US imaging of vesicoureteric reflux in children: usefulness of a second generation US contrast agent

Abstract

Contrast-enhanced second-harmonic VUS is a sensitive and easy technique for the evaluation of VUR. A second-generation US contrast medium such as SonoVue, if available, should be the first choice as the dose required for one examination is much lower and consequently significant reduction of contrast agent cost is possible.

Voiding urosonography including urethrosonography: high-quality examinations with an optimised procedure using a second-generation US contrast agent

“…This occurs because SonoVue® has a higher molecular weight and because micro-bubbles filled with gasses of low solubility have a high internal concentration of vapour [7]. Thus, the micro-bubbles float and accumulate in the non-dependent (anterior) part of the bladder, causing acoustic shadowing [18].…”

“…The greater stability and resilience of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles enabled us to reduce the dose, thus we could examine 4 or 5 children with 5 ml contrast agent (the volume contained in a single vial), decreasing the cost of examinations [1,3,6,7,17].…”

“…Inadequate visualisation of the urethra and high cost are often stated as limitations of VUS [4,5,7,8]. However, thanks to technological advances, particularly contrast-specific US-modes based on harmonic frequencies and second-generation UCA with longer halflives, VUS now enables thorough assessment of the morphology and function of the urethra through high-quality images at lower cost [1,3,7,[9][10][11].…”

Ultrasound examination in childhood: opportunities and new ways

“…Európában jelenleg a hasi szervek vizsgálatára kizá-rólag a második generációs intravénás kontrasztanyag, a SonoVue (Bracco, Olaszország) használható, amelynek intravesicalis alkalmazásáról az elmúlt években több tanulmány jelent meg [20,21,22].…”

Contrast Media Use in Pediatrics: Safety Issues

“…This may be complemented by perineal ultrasonography during voiding for assessment of the urethra. (Ascenti et al 2004;Berrocal et al 2001Berrocal et al , 2005Darge and Troeger 2002;Darge 2008;Darge et al 2013;Duran et al 2009;Kenda et al 2000;Riccabona et al 2008b). To date, no adverse events have been reported with this use of ultrasound contrast media, which in addition has good sensitivity and specificity (Darge 2011;Papadopoulou et al 2012;Riccabona 2012).…”