Potential impact and utilization of ultrasound contrast media.

Advances in non-linear imaging combined with new generations of ultrasound contrast agents have broadened and improved the applications of sonography in general. New guidelines to the use of this novel technique from the European Federation of Societies of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) will support its dissemination in the wider clinical practice. The effective impact of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography has been more predominant in liver imaging with respect to detection and characterization of focal hepatic lesions. Whilst it is not regarded as competing with contrast-enhanced CT and MRI, there are specific clinical niches where its potential impact and utilization are more likely to be universal.