Dynamic contrast enhanced ultrasound in gastrointestinal diseases: A current trend or an indispensable tool?

Figure 1 Time-intensity curve and derived parameters. AIU: Absolute intensity unit; AT: Arrival time; FT: Fall time; MTT: Mean transit time; PE: Peak enhancement; s: Second; TTP: Time to peak; WiAUC: Wash-in area under the curve; WiR: Wash-in rate; WiWoAUC: Wash-in and wash-out area under the curve; WoAUC: Wash-out area under the curve; WoR: Wash-out rate; RT: Rise time.

Figure 2 Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound and time-intensity curves of the liver. A: Hypoechoic mass (hepatocellular carcinoma) of IV liver segment visualized in B-mode ultrasound; B and C: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with corresponding time-intensity curve of the liver mass.

Figure 3 Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound and time-intensity curves of the pancreas. A: Hypoechoic mass (adenocarcinoma) of pancreatic head in B-mode ultrasound; B and C: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with corresponding time-intensity curve of the pancreatic lesion.

Figure 4 Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound and time-intensity curves of the bowel wall. A: B-mode ultrasound features of ileal bowel wall thickening in Crohn’s disease; B and C: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with corresponding time-intensity curve of the bowel wall thickening.