Contrast agents are used widely in most imaging modalities when evaluating renal pathology. Ultrasound contrast agents have the potential to yield increased information in sonography of renal masses. This article presents four cases of patients with various renal pathology and the impact of the addition of an ultrasound contrast agent (Definity, DuPont Pharmaceuticals, North Billerica, MA) on the imaging studies. The value of using pulse cancellation software to allow for gray-scale sonographic evaluation is discussed.
Ultrasound contrast agents are currently being evaluated for many potential clinical applications. One such application is in patients with indeterminate renal masses. Patients who do not have simple cysts by sonographic criteria often undergo multiple imaging procedures or intervention to achieve a diagnosis. This study examined the impact of the addition of an intravenous contrast agent on sonographic imaging in patients who had renal masses. This study was performed utilizing solely fundamental imaging and the continued evolution of contrast-specific software coupled with intravenous ultrasound contrast agents has the potential to increase diagnostic capabilities in sonography of renal pathology.
Ultrasound contrast agents are currently being evaluated for many potential clinical applications. One such application is in patients with indeterminate renal masses. Patients who do not have simple cysts by sonographic criteria often undergo multiple imaging procedures or intervention to achieve a diagnosis. This study examined the impact of the addition of an intravenous contrast agent on sonographic imaging in patients who had renal masses. This study was performed utilizing solely fundamental imaging and the continued evolution of contrast-specific software coupled with intravenous ultrasound contrast agents has the potential to increase diagnostic capabilities in sonography of renal pathology.