Demosthenes D. Cokkinos

Ultrasound of the urinary bladder detects diverse and complex pathology. This manuscript deals with various bladder diseases imaged with multiparametric ultrasound, including contrast enhanced ultrasound.

The evolution of ultrasound (US) techniques has greatly improved the evaluation of many parameters in dialysis vascular access, which is typically achieved through an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or graft (AVG). These techniques include grayscale B-mode, color Doppler, power Doppler, spectral Doppler, non-Doppler US flow imaging techniques, contrast-enhanced US, and elastography. In conjunction with a patient’s medical history and physical examination, US provides crucial information about the native vascular bed prior to the surgical creation of an arteriovenous anastomosis. It also tracks the maturation progress of the newly created AVF or AVG and aids in diagnosing potential complications of the vascular access. These complications include thrombosis, steal syndrome, aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, hematomas, infection, ischemic neuropathy, exacerbation of preexisting congestive heart failure, and stenosis.

Emergency imaging of the scrotum is part of routine medical practice. Indications include epididymitis/epididymo-orchitis, testicular torsion, trauma, tumors and infarction. Prompt diagnosis and management are needed to ensure optimal patient outcome. Ultrasound (US) is the initial, and often the only, imaging modality for testicular pathologies. Usually, B-mode and color Doppler US are adequate. In challenging cases, contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) facilitates final diagnosis or increases the examiner’s confidence by confirming findings on non-enhanced US. This paper elaborates on the examination technique of CEUS for testicular pathologies, thereby showing its added value over baseline US techniques in the emergency setting.

The gallbladder and bile ducts are usually assessed initially with conventional gray‐scale ultrasound (US). Contrast enhanced US (CEUS) is used when a diagnosis cannot be reached with conventional US. CEUS is easy to learn and perform. US contrast agents can be safely administered in patients with renal function impairment. In this pictorial essay the physics, examination technique and indications of CEUS for examining the gallbladder and bile ducts are reviewed. Gallbladder indications include elucidating normal variants, differentiating sludge from neoplastic lesions, benign and malignant pathology, infection, wall rupture and hemobilia. In the biliary tree CEUS is used for studying benign and malignant tumors, including metastases and cholangiocarcinoma, as well as intrabiliary injection.

Cirrhosis and portal hypertension are common diagnostic findings in the Western world. The aetiology is variable, however alcohol abuse and hepatitis are the commonest causes. Ultrasound is usually the first diagnostic modality to be used. It is easy to find, safe, radiation-free and cheap. Although computed tomography, magnetic resonance and biopsy may be needed for diagnosis and follow up, ultrasound will always be used for initial assessment and in many cases will solve the diagnostic problem. We review the findings on B-mode and Doppler, as well as contrast enhanced ultrasound, according to a protocol which should be followed in order to evaluate a patient with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.