Potential pediatric applications for US contrast agents: lessons from the laboratory

Objectives. The goals of this review are to familiarize the reader with the physical basis for microbubble contrast effect and to summarize experimental studies exploring their potential pediatric applications. Materials. Animal studies conducted over a 4-year period using an experimental US contrast agent for imaging the central nervous system, kidney, testes, hip joints, and malignant tumors are reviewed with respect to imaging efficacy of the agent, possible use for quantification of tissue blood flow, and potential non-vascular imaging applications. Conclusions. US contrast agents hold important potential for many clinical applications in imaging the pediatric patient.