In the last few years, the development of sonographic contrast agents - or "microbubbles" - has stimulated increasingly intensive studies on the rela tionships between ultrasound and contrast media. As a result, "contrast -spe cific" hardware and software systems have been introduced by different ultra sound manufacturers with impressive speed. This has finally led to the birth of a very new imaging modality -"contrast-enhanced sonography" (CEUS). Since 1999, the introduction of second-generation contrast agents has represented a decisive step towards the extensive clinical use of CEUS and has simultaneously made obsolete most, if not all, scientific publications available so far. This book is, to our knowledge, the first to deal entirely with second generation contrast agents and the most updated contrast-specific software for noncardiologic uses. The reasons why the liver has been chosen as the only "target" of the book are easily understandable by radiologists and hepatologists alike. The study of vascularity is the only purpose of CEUS, and the liver has a unique vascular system, with two different inflow systems resulting in a single outflow. Furthermore, the pathologically different focal liver lesions (FLLs) are mostly characterized by different "models" of vascularity: CEUS can mimic contrast enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, basing differential diagnosis on the morphological and temporal characteristics of enhancement, but with the additional unique advantage of the study being done in real-time.

In the last few years, the development of sonographic contrast agents - or "microbubbles" - has stimulated increasingly intensive studies on the rela tionships between ultrasound and contrast media. As a result, "contrast -spe cific" hardware and software systems have been introduced by different ultra sound manufacturers with impressive speed. This has finally led to the birth of a very new imaging modality -"contrast-enhanced sonography" (CEUS). Since 1999, the introduction of second-generation contrast agents has represented a decisive step towards the extensive clinical use of CEUS and has simultaneously made obsolete most, if not all, scientific publications available so far. This book is, to our knowledge, the first to deal entirely with second generation contrast agents and the most updated contrast-specific software for noncardiologic uses. The reasons why the liver has been chosen as the only "target" of the book are easily understandable by radiologists and hepatologists alike. The study of vascularity is the only purpose of CEUS, and the liver has a unique vascular system, with two different inflow systems resulting in a single outflow. Furthermore, the pathologically different focal liver lesions (FLLs) are mostly characterized by different "models" of vascularity: CEUS can mimic contrast enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, basing differential diagnosis on the morphological and temporal characteristics of enhancement, but with the additional unique advantage of the study being done in real-time.

This volume takes into account the great impact of new technology on clinical practice for mass liver lesions. Its findings reflect a consensus meeting of experts assembled in order to develop guidelines for the use of ultrasound contrast agents in the diagnosis of liver diseases. These guidelines are presented in this book which provides an important starting point for clinical implementation of new diagnostic procedure.

This volume takes into account the great impact of new technology on clinical practice for mass liver lesions. Its findings reflect a consensus meeting of experts assembled in order to develop guidelines for the use of ultrasound contrast agents in the diagnosis of liver diseases. These guidelines are presented in this book which provides an important starting point for clinical implementation of new diagnostic procedure.

This book aims to provide reader an overview of clinical applications of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in hepatic neoplasms diagnosis. Ultrasound images and pathological results of different hepatic neoplasms are introduced in the chapters, including benign liver tumors, malignant liver tumors, hepatic carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, rare liver benign and malignant neoplasms, regenerative nodules, inflammatory pseudotumor, parasite liver lesions, and hepatitis peliosis, etc. The combination of ultrasound findings with final histopathological results then discover the potential mechanical of contrast enhancement changes. With the development of ultrasound technology and widely application of ultrasound contrast agents (USCA) in recent decades, contrast-specific imaging modalities have been developed in combination with USCA and a low mechanical index (MI), allowing continuous real-time grey scale imaging. The updated contrast-specific software for liver diseases and hepatic tumors diagnosis has also been described described in detail. With high-resolution contrast ultrasound images during arterial phase, portal venous phase and late phase, author wants to show the whole dynamic wash-in and wash-out process of the different focal liver lesions.This book is an invaluable resource for radiologists, hepatologists and oncologists in their everyday clinical practice.

Liver Ultrasound An up-to-date discussion of modern liver ultrasound techniques, combining hepatological and radiological perspectives into one stand-alone resource. In Liver Ultrasound: From Basics to Advanced Applications, a team of distinguished experts delivers an in-depth textbook on how to perform liver ultrasound and interpret common and uncommon clinical findings. The authors also walk readers through the nuances of ultrasonic and parametric features, from both a radiological and hepatological perspective, in differentiating the multitude of liver conditions. They also discuss clinical evaluations and how to use more advanced and currently evolving techniques. Readers will experience well-illustrated and clear ultrasound images while also getting access to a complimentary website that features numerous videos which integrate the book’s modern and multidisciplinary approach. The book also includes: A thorough introduction to the basics of ultrasound, as well as ultrasound scanners and knobology Comprehensive explanations on how to perform a liver ultrasound, including routine practicalities, discussions of normal liver anatomy, normal variants and advanced Doppler techniques Practical discussions of focal liver lesions, including their characterization and detection and how contrast enhanced ultrasound plays a pivotal role A clinical overview on the use of point of care ultrasound in liver disease as well as the use of ultrasound in liver related infectious diseases, biliary disorders and pediatric liver disease An extensive overview on the use of ultrasound and specific findings in liver transplantation The role of ultrasound in chronic liver disease, vascular liver diseases and interventional procedures, as well as discussions on advancing technologies namely shearwave elastography, attenuation imaging and fusion Perfect for all who perform liver sonography namely, hepatologists, radiologists, internal and emergency medicine physicians and sonographers. Liver Ultrasound: From Basics to Advanced Applications will also benefit trainees from all these specialties.

This book thoroughly covers various diseases induced by portal hypertension, and introduces novel information for the treatment of patients. Individual chapters address the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment options available for the complications induced by portal hypertension. The book fosters practical understanding and provides more evidence-based treatment options in order to improve physicians’ ability to select optimal treatment methods for their patients. Further, it offers readers the latest information concerning developments of the disease such as esophaogastric varices, ectopic varices, portal thrombosis, refractory ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. Clinical Science of Portal Hypertensions is an indispensible resource for both beginning and experienced gastroenterological physicians, endoscopists, liver physicians, radiologists, gastroenterological surgeons, liver surgeons, etc. who treat patients with portal hypertension on a clinical or research basis.