Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: New Areas of Clinical Application in Children

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a reliable, safe, radiation-free imaging tool of great value in pediatric radiology, offering enhanced visualization of tissue microvasculature and body compartments compared to traditional ultrasound techniques. CEUS uses microbubble contrast agents, which are not nephrotoxic and rarely cause adverse reactions. Since its approval for intravenous pediatric use in 2016, CEUS off-label applications have expanded to include neuroimaging, thoracic, abdominopelvic, musculoskeletal, and vascular assessments. CEUS demonstrates high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in evaluating lesions, perfusion, and disease complications, encouraging broader integration into pediatric imaging practice and fostering research into additional new applications.