Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in an interdisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU): Diagnostic efficacy in the assessment of post-operative complications compared to contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT): First results

To evaluate the effectiveness of high-resolution contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to diagnose early postoperative complications in an interdisciplinary intensive care unit. In 50 patients (male 32; female 18) 64 CEUS examinations were performed in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting to detect post-operative complications. Multi-frequency transducer (1-5 and/or 6-9 MHz) were used. All 64 examinations were performed by one experienced examiner. CEUS findings were compared with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) findings. CECT images were acquired within 1-24 hours after CEUS examination in arterial and portal-venous phases of the abdomen using either a 16-slice computed tomography scanner or a 128-dual slice computed tomography scanner. In 56 out of 64 cases (88%) the CEUS-based diagnosis corresponded with the CECT diagnosis. Vascular stenosis in hepatic arteries and portal veins were recognised in both imaging modalities but were evaluated differently [5 cases]. In 3 cases (5%) small peripheral splenic infarction, retroperitoneal hematoma and fluid collection around the liver were not diagnosed by CEUS. CONCLUSION: CEUS in an ICU setting enables a reliable detection of postoperative abdominal complications as compared to CECT.