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Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) allows a real-time assessment of the vascular pattern of different types of lesions, as it has no renal or liver toxicity, it lacks radiation exposure and it is also cheaper than other imaging methods, having a diagnostic capability that matches contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. In Romania CEUS is used more and more, especially by clinicians, and since some centres have extensive experience in this domain, we felt the need to disseminate our expertise in order to implement this method in as many centres as possible. These Guidelines present the clinical applications of CEUS in the liver, spleen, pancreas, kidney, testis, bowel, intra-cavitary and endoscopic ultrasound, as well as other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has become a relevant imaging method for the evaluation of focal liver le-sions (FLL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of CEUS for the assessment of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in a large study group.Material and Methods: We performed a multicentre prospective observational study, which included successive CEUS examinations from fourteen Romanian centres. CEUS examinations were performed in de novo FLL, using low mechanical index ultrasound, following an intravenous bolus of 2.4 ml SonoVue. CEUS was considered conclusive for FNH if a typical pattern was present following contrast (rapid "spoke-wheel" enhancement during the arterial phase, hyperenhanced lesion during venous phase, hyper- or isoenhanced in the late phase). In all cases a reference method was available (contrast enhanced CT or MRI or biopsy). The trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier NCT01329458).Results: During the 6 years study, 2062 "de novo" FLL were evaluated by CEUS. From this cohort, 94/2062 (4.5%) had a typical enhancing pattern for FNH as described in the EFSUMB guidelines. Contrast enhanced CT/MRI and biopsy diagnosed additional 15 FNH. From the 94 cases diagnosed as FNH by CEUS, in nine the final diagnosis was different (five of them adenomas). CEUS had 85% sensitivity, 99.5% specificity, 90.4% positive predictive value, 99.2% negative predictive value and 98.8% diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of FNH.Conclusions: CEUS is a sensitive and very specific method for the diagnosis of FNH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]