Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound of Kidneys in Children with Renal Failure

Abstract

Ultrasound (US) has been an important tool for evaluating and imaging renal pathology in children. Development of US contrast agents and dedicated software for the detection of microbubbles has given this radiological investigation a new dimension, especially in children with renal impairment. Application of contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) brings US into the domain historically occupied by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. We retrospectively studied nine children who had undergone CEUS (age range 3–16 years). This pictorial essay draws on our experience and illustrates the safety and accurate depiction of enhancement pattern of focal renal lesions.

Keywords

• contrast-enhanced ultrasound
• nephrology
• pediatrics
• renal impairment
• ultrasound