Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the abdomen is currently an underutilized imaging modality in the United States, although it is a well-established, noninvasive, real-time imaging technique for evaluating known or suspected abdominal pathology of the liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, gallbladder, and gastrointestinal tract. Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) act as true blood-pool tracers, providing unique, characteristic contrast washin/washout kinetics and enhancement patterns that can be used to characterize various lesions that may not be detected by other imaging modalities.

CEUS has several advantages over CE-computed tomography (CECT) and CE-magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI). In addition to having a lack of exposure to ionizing radiation, CEUS can be used in patients with renal and hepatic insufficiency and in pregnant women. The cost of CEUS is significantly lower than CECT and CEMRI, and CEUS is portable and thus can be performed at the bedside. Education in regard to the indications and benefits of CEUS of the abdomen is greatly needed to increase patient safety and lower
healthcare resource utilization.

After completing this activity, participants should be better able to:

• Summarize indications, recommendations, and clinical trials demonstrating the clinical utility of CEUS of the
  abdomen, including the liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, gallbladder and biliary tree, and gastrointestinal tract
• Explain the fundamental physics of CEUS of the abdomen
• Interpret the safety, efficacy, and pharmacoeconomics of CEUS of the abdomen

This activity is designed for radiologists, sonographers, emergency department physicians, radiology nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide them with medically relevant education on the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the abdomen in the diagnosis and therapy decision-making for diseases of the liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, gallbladder and biliary tree, and gastrointestinal tract.

This SDMS CME activity has been planned and submitted for approval of 1.00 hour of SDMS CME Credit Category AB by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SDMS).

Release Date: 7/14/25 | Expires 7/14/2026

Faculty and Planner Disclosures:
As an accredited provider of continuing medical education, it is the policy of Northwest Imaging Forums, Inc. (NWIF) to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its webinar activities. In accordance with this policy, faculty and planners must disclose any financial relationships with ineligible companies. Additionally, in the event a relevant financial relationship does exist, it is the policy of NWIF to ensure that the relevant financial relationship is mitigated in order to ensure the integrity of the SDMS CME activity. The planner has nothing to disclose.

Richard G. Barr, MD, PhD

Professor of Radiology
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Director, Southwoods Imaging
Department of Radiology
Surgical Hospital at Southwoods
Youngstown, Ohio

Edward G. Grant, MD, FACR

Professor and Chairman
Department of Radiology
Keck Hospital of USC
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California