Contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography (ceVUS) as a diagnostic tool in evaluation of vesicoureteral reflux

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show the benefits of contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography as a new method in the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux. In the era of increasing radiation awareness, radiation doses to infants and children should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. Recent advances in tissue-harmonic and contrast-specific imaging techniques, together with the development of second-generation contrast agents, have improved the potential of ultrasonography, in both the diagnosis and grading of vesicoureteral reflux in children. Contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography is a radiation free, reliable, highly sensitive and safe imaging modality for vesicoureteral reflux and urethral evaluation in children.

Conclusion – Therefore, due to all its advantages, contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography is the preferred method in the diagnosis and grading of vesicoureteral reflux and should be incorporated into the paediatric urinary tract infection diagnostic algorithm.