Ultrasound contrast agents

Ultrasound contrast agents are introducing a new vision to ultrasonography. The increase in the Doppler signal intensity improves difficult examinations. Technical failures in the study of transcranial, liver and renal vessel might be rescued with the injection of these new compounds. The introduction of specific image sequences such as harmonic imaging and pulse inversion imaging allows detection of parenchymal enhancement in liver and renal examinations. The injection of ultrasound contrast agents also provides dynamic quantitative information to develop functional imaging. However, it is mandatory to understand the interaction with the ultrasound beam in order to optimise their use and define the adequate ultrasound sequence.