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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: June 21, 2024
Contrast enhanced ultrasound of renal diseases
Libero Barozzi1, Massimo Valentino, Michele Bertolotto
1Emergency, Surgery and Transplants Department, Radiology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy. libero.barozzi@aosp.bo.it
Abstract:
With the advent of microbubble contrast agents and contrast-specific techniques, contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) has become a powerful additional tool for radiological imaging. When microbubbles are administered intravenously, the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound (US) can approach those of computed tomography (CT) and magnetice resonance (MR) with the advantages of no radiation, lower cost and the possibility of their use in patients with renal failure or in intensive care units. Functional (perfusional) information can be obtained in addition to morphologic information, often making further imaging unnecessary. Nevertheless, CEUS requires expertise and adequate US equipment. In addition, subjects and organs unsuitable for US are also unsuitable for CEUS, which is not a panoramic imaging modality and consequently not a substitute for comprehensive whole-body imaging.
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