Clinical Applications of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography in Pediatric Population - Intravesicle Administration

In children, specifically the intravesicle administration to study vesicoureteral reflux in children already catheterized and scheduled for voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is a tremendous advancement from conventional B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography, as it permits noninvasive, non-ionizing delineation of physiology and pathophysiology with higher resolution and accuracy in children. The technique is particularly useful in pediatric population whose lifetime risk of cancer significantly increases with higher frequency of ionizing radiation. Voiding cystourethrogram is a fluoroscopy technique that can study reflux real time but at the risk of radiation side effects. In this regard, intravesicle administration of ultrasound contrast agent can help avoid radiation in children and potentially replace the conventionally used voiding cystourethrogram.