Contrast Media in Ultrasonography

Dr. Emilio Quaia is research fellow at the University of Trieste, Italy and ECR research and education fund winner 2000 and 2004.

Basic Principles.- Classification and Safety of Microbubble-Based Contrast Agents.- Physical Basis and Principles of Action of Microbubble-based Contrast Agents.- Characterization and Design of Microbubble-Based Contrast Agents Suitable for Diagnostic Imaging.- Contrast-Specific Imaging Techniques: Technical Perspective.- Contrast-Specific Imaging Techniques: Methodological Point of View.- Biological Effects of Microbubble-Based Ultrasound Contrast Agents.- Vascular Applications.- Cerebral Vessels.- Carotid Arteries.- Detection of Endoleak After Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.- Renal Arteries.- Abdominal Applications: Liver and Spleen.- Characterization of Focal Liver Lesions.- Detection of Focal Liver Lesions.- Guidance and Assessment of Interventional Therapy in Liver.- Applications of Ultrasound Microbubbles in the Spleen.- Abdominal Applications: Kidneys.- Characterization and Detection of Renal Tumors.- Detection of Renal Perfusion Defects.- Quantitative Analysis of Renal Perfusion at Contrast-Enhanced US.- Cardiac Applications.- Assessment of Regional Myocardial Blood Flow.- Assessment of Myocardial Blood Volume.- Special Topics.- Abdominal Traumas.- Breast.- Lymph Nodes.- Female Pelvis.- Vesicoureteral Reflux.- Pancreatic Pathology.- Intestinal Pathology.- Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of the Prostate.- Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Rheumatic Joint Diseases.- Research Perspectives.- Quantitative Analysis of Parenchymal Flow at Contrast-Enhanced US.- Therapeutic Application of Microbubble-Based Agents.

From the reviews:

"This is a most impressive book covering all the important aspects of ultrasound contrast agents. ... The layout is logical ... . There are many good pictures ... . a valuable addition to any ultrasound department's library. ... gives both the novice and the more experienced user an easily readable tome of reference to encourage them in their work. I strongly recommend it." (M. J. Weston, Ultrasound, Vol. 13 (3), 2005)

"Under the leadership of Emilio Quaia, one of the leading lights himself, an outstanding team of luminaries has been assembled who very effectively cover all the major topics in this evolving field."

"Thomas Whittingham contributes a very useful survey of the proliferating and confusing array of special ultrasound techniques that are available with modern instruments."

"This is an excellent book that should be on the shelf of anyone interested in ultrasound."

[RAD Magazine, December, 2005]