Abstract

Imaging techniques, in particular ultrasonography, have led to great advances in clinical hepatology in the past few decades. The introduction of second-generation contrast agents and the development of contrast specific techniques have opened new prospects in the detection and characterization of liver lesions. New hybrid imaging techniques that combine in real-time transabdominal ultrasound with other cross-sectional imaging techniques (CT or MR) might add even more valuable information in the cases with focal lesions. The aim of this review is to describe the role of real-time contrast-enhanced and real-time virtual sonography in the assessment of benign liver lesions.

Keywords

Real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, focal liver lesions, hybrid imaging, real-time virtual sonography