EFSUMB Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound (INVUS), Part III - Abdominal Treatment Procedures (Long Version)

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Radiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• The European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) develops guidelines for medical professionals.
• Interventional Ultrasound (INVUS) is a rapidly evolving field requiring standardized practices.
• Previous EFSUMB guidelines have addressed diagnostic ultrasound; this focuses on interventional applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the evidence for ultrasound-guided and assisted interventions in abdominal treatment.
• To provide clinical practice recommendations for interventional ultrasound procedures.
• To cover indications, contraindications, and safe performance of various abdominal interventional ultrasound techniques.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on ultrasound-guided abdominal interventions.
• Evidence assessment based on predefined criteria for clinical practice recommendations.
• Consensus development by experts from the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology.

Main Results:

• Comprehensive review of evidence for diverse interventional ultrasound procedures in the abdomen.
• Detailed recommendations on indications, contraindications, and procedural techniques.
• Specific focus on abscess/fluid drainage, tumor ablation, cyst management, cholangiography, gastrostomy, and nephrostomy.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasound guidance is crucial for safe and effective abdominal interventional procedures.
• Standardized guidelines are essential for optimizing patient outcomes in interventional ultrasound.
• This guideline serves as a vital resource for clinicians performing abdominal interventional ultrasound.