Seeking consensus: contrast ultrasound in radiology

This paper summarises the discussions from a meeting held on contrast ultrasound held on 21 October 2000 in Toronto, Canada. The aims of this meeting, supported by ATL/Philips Ultrasound, was to review the current clinical indications for contrast usage in the liver and kidney, arrive at recommendations for use of intravenous contrast agents, and speculate on the future uses. This paper is published to help understand this rapidly evolving field. Consensus points included a recommendation that Levovist in its post-vascular phase was of considerable value in detecting and excluding metastases in the liver, although unlikely realistically to replace CT or MR. Newer agents such as Sonovue, Definity and Sonazoid, suitable for low mechanical index (MI) imaging were also of great value and may have a further role for HCC detection. Equipment manufacturers should strive to keep improving low mechanical index modes for these agents. Promising applications for characterisation included further evaluation of lesions discovered on ultrasound and as a problem solver for CT or MR. To date no contrast agents have received approval from the FDA for radiological applications in the United States. The case for reimbursement for contrast agents was strongly supported by the panel.