ULTRASOUND CONTRAST AGENTS - A NEW PERSPE CTIVE IN ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS

Ultrasound contrast agents have recently proven to be clinically usefu l in many different areas and with many different ultrasound modalitie s. B-mode contrast echocardiography and delineation of cavities with u ltrasound contrast agents are already accepted. Based on the contrast agent Echovist, assessment of tubal patency is possible with hysterosa lpingo contrast sonography (HyCoSy). A new generation of transpulmonar y, stable ultrasound contrast agents such as Levovist offer potential for various Doppler applications. Ultrasound contrast agents act as si gnal enhancers in Doppler examinations and therefore help to overcome the limitations of insufficient Doppler signal intensity. Recently, cl inical studies have shown. Doppler examinations to have many clinical benefits. Contrast agents are useful in the assessment of high-grade s tenosis or the delineation of small vessels and under difficult condit ions. Ultrasound contrast agents also create new applications: analysi s of tumor vascularization and delineation of the transcranial venous system are possible with contrast enhancement. Future developments in contrast-specific scanning (''harmonic imaging'') and new contrast age nts, including organ-specific contrast agents, are expected to make a significant impact in the years to come.