[Contrast-enhanced sonography for blunt force abdominal trauma]. / Kontrastmittelsonographie beim stumpfen Bauchtrauma.

ABSTRACT

With the introduction of second generation ultrasound contrast agents, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has become available as an adjunct to the conventional FAST (focused assessment with sonography in trauma) protocol and B-mode sonography of the abdomen after blunt force abdominal trauma. Results from several controlled studies indicate excellent diagnostic accuracy of CEUS for the exclusion of clinically relevant parenchymal injuries after blunt force abdominal trauma. Particularly in younger, hemodynamically stable patients this technique could contribute to a reliable exclusion of parenchymal injuries without the use of ionizing radiation. This report provides details on the technical performance of CEUS, shows examples of typical CEUS findings after blunt abdominal trauma and summarizes the current clinical evidence regarding the use of CEUS after blunt abdominal trauma.