Let's learn about ultrasound contrast imaging

Ultrasonic contrast, also known as acoustic contrast, is a technology that uses contrast agents to enhance backscattered echoes, significantly improving the resolution, sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound diagnosis. This technology combines ultrasound imaging and microbubble contrast agents to more clearly show the blood flow of organs and tissues, as well as detect lesions such as vascular problems or tumors. In ultrasound contrast, the patient will first receive an intravenous injection containing microbubble contrast agents, and then use ultrasound imaging equipment to observe the flow of these microbubbles in the blood vessels, thereby obtaining more detailed and accurate imaging information. This technology is often used to examine organs such as the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, and helps doctors make diagnoses and formulate treatment plans.

As a medical imaging technology, ultrasound contrast has gone through a long development process. The emergence of real-time greyscale ultrasound technology in the 1970s laid the foundation for modern ultrasound diagnosis and laid a solid foundation for the further development of ultrasound imaging technology. Subsequently, the introduction of color Doppler technology enriched ultrasound image information and provided an important tool for the detection of cardiovascular and systemic organ and tissue blood flow, which is very distinctive. Since the 1990s, with the continuous innovation and development of ultrasound technology, contrast enhanced ultrasound has gradually emerged as an important image enhancement technology, bringing new application prospects to ultrasound medicine.

Advantages of ultrasound contrast imaging:

Real-time dynamic observation: Ultrasound angiography can observe the entire blood perfusion process of the lesion in real time and dynamically. Doctors can watch it repeatedly, which helps to make differential diagnosis and discover more and smaller lesions. It is especially important for observing changes in microcirculation in a short period of time.

Clear and detailed display: Ultrasound contrast imaging can show the perfusion process of small organs and surface masses more clearly, allow for more careful observation, and is more sensitive to tiny lesions, helping to improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

Radiation-free and safe: Ultrasound angiography does not require the use of X-ray radiation. It can be quickly checked even during surgery and can be repeated many times in a short period of time. It is safer for patients and is especially practical in real-time interventional treatment.

Low dose and no toxic side effects: Ultrasound contrast agents are used in small doses, no skin test is required, no radiation and no liver and kidney toxicity, safe and reliable. Contrast agents are mainly metabolized by the lungs, and are more applicable to special cases such as patients with liver and kidney dysfunction, liver and kidney transplant patients, and patients with acute pancreatitis.

High accuracy and sensitivity: Ultrasound contrast imaging performs well in diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity, providing doctors with more reliable diagnostic information, helping to detect lesions early and develop effective treatment plans.

What kind of patients need ultrasound contrast examination?

Liver diseases: such as liver tumors, liver cysts, liver abscesses, etc. Ultrasound imaging can help doctors evaluate the blood flow in the liver, detect the blood supply of tumors, and improve the accuracy of diagnosis of liver lesions.

Kidney diseases: such as kidney stones, kidney cysts, kidney tumors, etc. Ultrasound imaging can determine the perfusion of the kidneys and help doctors diagnose kidney diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases: such as heart valve disease, myocardial disease, endocarditis, etc. Ultrasound angiography can evaluate the structure, function and blood flow of the heart, and provide assistance for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Breast diseases: such as breast lumps, breast cystic lesions, etc. Ultrasound imaging can help doctors understand the blood flow in the breast and assist in distinguishing benign and malignant breast lesions.

Diseases in other parts of the body: such as thyroid nodules, abdominal masses, lymph node abnormalities, etc. The application of ultrasound contrast imaging in these parts can also help improve the accuracy of diagnosis of lesions.

Ultrasound angiography precautions :

After receiving ultrasound contrast imaging, some patients may experience facial flushing, headache, local fever, erythema and other symptoms. These adverse reactions are usually caused by allergy or intolerance to contrast agents, and medical institutions should have corresponding emergency drugs to deal with these reactions. In addition, ultrasound contrast imaging has some contraindications, including people who are allergic to contrast agents, patients with ischemic heart disease or acute heart failure, patients with pulmonary hypertension, pregnant women and breastfeeding women. These patient groups should strictly follow the doctor's advice before undergoing ultrasound contrast imaging to avoid unnecessary risks.

In short, ultrasound contrast imaging, as a safe and non-invasive imaging examination method, plays an important role in the medical field. Through ultrasound contrast imaging, doctors can obtain richer blood flow information and higher contrast images, so as to more accurately diagnose lesions, evaluate treatment effects, and even discover some hidden diseases. Compared with other imaging examination techniques, ultrasound contrast imaging has the advantages of simple operation, no radiation, no trauma, and no pain, so it is very popular in clinical applications. Doctors can obtain diagnostic information faster when using ultrasound contrast imaging, avoiding some delays and risks that may exist in traditional examinations. Through the continuous advancement and development of science and technology, the application of ultrasound contrast imaging technology is also constantly improving and innovating to provide patients with better medical services. The correct and reasonable use of ultrasound contrast imaging technology can timely detect diseases, determine diagnoses, and provide patients with more accurate treatment plans, thereby helping more patients get rid of the torture of diseases and improve the level and quality of medical services. (Cao Hongyan, Lingshou County People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province)