The new method is at least equivalent and much less expensive. Professor Christoph F. Dietrich, chief physician of the Caritas Hospital in Bad Mergentheim, pointed out that sufficient data and experience available to use contrast-enhanced ultrasound in liver lesions more broadly. The significance of contrast-enhanced MRI and contrast-enhanced Sonography is good nowadays for the detection and characterization of liver lesions as similar. This is done in the current guidelines “, as C.
F. Dietrich.” It is now possible to differentiate liver lesions using contrast Sonography diagnosis with great reliability. In many cases is a reliable classification of the dignity of the tumors (> 90%) possible. The contrast Sonography in further important advantages has, as a usage right at the bedside, the creation of dynamic presentations, documentation of findings in the video recording, as well as less stress for the patient and lower costs for Hospitals and health insurance companies. Dr. Andreas Schuler, head of medical clinic of Helfenstein clinic in Geislingen, could in addition to the designs of C. F.
Dietrich set out that the contrast Ultrasound (CEUS) in cost-benefit evaluations compared to other imaging diagnostic techniques very cheap cuts off. The contrast-enhanced ultrasound is much less expensive as compared to MD-CT. Pro liver lesion with a definitive diagnosis saved around 100 euros through the use of CEUS in the Middle “, as A. Schuler. For a wider use of CEUS in the hospital there is but a change in the diagnostic algorithm. The decision makers in the clinics must be persuaded of the advantages of this method to enforce this change in the clinics. Can then be diagnosed more patients better and costs in the clinics. Dr. Christian Greis, head of medical support which was Bracco imaging, the ultrasound contrast agent SonoVue in front. With SonoVue stands for some years now also powerful contrast agents for ultrasound examination available. It involves microscopic gas bubbles, which are distributed after injection into a peripheral vein with the blood flow throughout the body. In contrast to the commonly used X-ray and MRI contrast agents these micro bubbles can’t leave but the blood vessels due to their size (in the area of red blood cells), so that a separate representation of blood flow and tissue structures is possible. In the ultrasound field, these micro bubbles into vibration and produce a strong and characteristic echo signal. SonoVue has been used now successfully in more than 1 million patients in Clinical Diagnostics. It has an excellent safety profile with only rare side effects and without any damage to the kidney (Nephrotoxicity). The method of contrast ultrasonography was presented this year at the 64th annual meeting of DGVS in several lectures and posters and the possibilities of this demonstrated innovative and patient-friendly method of investigation. A specific Symposium of topic under the chairmanship of Professor C. F. Dietrich was also held on the 18.02.09 by Bracco Imaging Germany. JKG/13.