Ultraschall Med 2016; 37(04): 425
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-111925
EFSUMB Newsletter
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

New EFSUMB Statement on Paediatric CEUS

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Publication History

Publication Date:
04 August 2016 (online)

As most of you will be aware, the FDA in the United States took the unprecedented step of approving an ultrasound contrast agent (Lumason™ / SonoVue™) for use not only in the adult patient with a focal liver lesion but also in the paediatric population. Clinical trials for the adult patient were conducted in the United States but no such paediatric trial was performed, and in fact there has been no clinical trial anywhere in the world to address this issue. The decision of the FDA was based entirely on safety data provided by European centres, where CEUS in children has been performed for a number of years with success. Numerous European based studies have reported the usefulness of this technique in liver, and elsewhere particularly in the management of blunt abdominal trauma in the child. There is no justification to subject the child to repeat CT examinations when the CEUS examination is so accurate in isolated solid abdominal organ injury.