A novel application of ultrasound contrast: demonstration of splenic arterial bleeding

Abstract

Recent research in the use of ultrasound contrast agents has found they are able to increase the diagnostic power of ultrasound, to a level that may exceed other imaging modalities, in the diagnosis of liver lesions. Their application in the assessment of haemorrhage following angiographic embolisation has not previously been described. We report on a case where metal coil embolisation of a bleeding splenic artery aneurysm was completed to angiographic satisfaction, but on injection of ultrasound contrast medium, the aneurysm, distal to the embolisation, showed the presence of ultrasound contrast medium within it. We suggest that contrast enhanced ultrasound may be more sensitive than conventional angiography in the assessment of blood flow through intra-abdominal small vessel aneurysms or solid organs.