Elevation of the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in radiology departments in Germany

Purpose: Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) is established methodically for years and is an increasingly important pillar in diagnostic imaging of different organ systems. However, the modality is rarely performed by radiologists, but more often within other disciplines. The present questionnaire study is intended to represent the current value of CEUS in radiology and to stimulate a re-evaluation of the establishment of this method within thediscipline.

Materials and methods: A total of 560 medical directors of radiological departments throughout Germany were contacted and a 3-page questionnaire was presented. On the basis of 37 questions on 5 sets of issues (general structures, CEUS and interdisciplinarity, CEUS in pediatric radiology, education/training, prospect), the importance of US and especially of CEUS within radiology was requested.

Results: The response rate was 42.3%. A comprehensive statistical analysis of the issues was performed, including subgroup analyzes. Overall, it was found that CEUS is indeed practiced in relatively few radiology departments (26.6%), but the significance of the method is perceived by a total of 81.8% by radiologists and is mostly esteemed in the medium to high range of importance. Even more than half of the pollees (54.9%) would support to incorporate the method within the radiology specialist training.

Conclusions: The nationwide questionnaire survey to collect the value of CEUS in radiology revealed a very high response rate. This reflects the perception of the importance of the subject area through the radiological discipline. A large discrepancy between the currently low rate of application of the method within radiology and the still relatively high assessment of the significance of CEUS by many radiologists could be shown. The statistical analyzes of the issues offer important professional political aspects of this topic within the radiological discipline.