Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can safely improve the diagnosis of a variety of medical conditions in children, according to a new study by researchers at University Hospital in Jena, Germany.
In the study, researchers conducted CEUS to image 50 paediatric patients at the hospital.
Researchers found that CEUS was not associated with any adverse safety events in children, and they were able to successfully differentiate between a benign cyst and a perfused tumour.
According to researchers, unlike CT and nuclear imaging, CEUS does expose patients to ionising radiation, and it can be used to assess kidney infections, organ’s blood flow, and internal abdominal injuries caused by a fall during play.
Researchers have called for additional clinical trials to validate the use of CEUS in paediatric patients.
While ultrasound contrast agents have been approved for use in adult patients, their use in children is off-label and requires informed consent.