Evolution of Ultrasound by Internists: POCUS (Point of Care Ultrasound), abdominal ultrasound and CEUS (Contrast enhanced ultrasound)- Implementation of a CEUS group

Introduction: A retrospective analysis of the CEUS examinations was performed to suggest meaningful questioning regarding the implementation of a CEUS group.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on CEUS examinations performed between April 2023 and December 2024. Patient data, organ systems and findings of the CEUS examinations were reviewed, focusing on the objectives of CEUS and whether the clinical question was answered. A total of 73 ultrasound examinations were performed, of which 9 were excluded due to withdrawal of general consent.

Results: We examined 34 men and 30 women, with an average age of 63 (±16) and 58 years (±18), respectively. The liver was examined in 42.2% of cases (27), the kidney in 39.0% (25) and other organs in 18.75% (12), (with 3 cases involving two organs). In 61.1% of cases (41) an ultrasound in the remaining cases other imaging modalities led to the decision to perform CEUS examination. In 42.4% (28), the clinical question was adequately answered by CEUS, and no further follow-up was needed. In 31.8% (21), ultrasound follow-up was required. Thus, 74.2% (49) could be managed with ultrasound. The remaining cases needed further additional imaging modalities and/or remained unclear.

Conclusion: Our experience with CEUS on the ward indicates that incidental findings in structurally healthy liver and mildly complex kidney cysts or pseudo-tumors are ideal objectives for initiating a CEUS group. Most of these incidental findings could be conclusively evaluated using CEUS without the need for further imaging techniques.

Publication History

Article published online:
16 October 2025