Intravenous Application of Second-Generation Ultrasound Contrast Agents in Children: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

CEUS examinations using second-generation ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) are conducted in children, despite not being registered for individuals less than 18 years of age. We searched the Medline^® database through Pubmed^® and Scopus database, in order to find articles in which UCA were administered intravenously in patients under the age of 18. We analyzed in detail 9 papers (7 case reports, 2 original research studies), describing the examinations with intravenous administration of the UCA in children, and 23 original papers, in which the study group included at least one individual under the age of 18. Neither of the analyzed studies included any reports of adverse effects after UCA administration.

Zusammenfassung

Trotz fehlender Zulassung bei Personen unter 18 Jahren werden CEUS-Untersuchungen mit Kontrastmitteln der zweiten Generation (UCA) an Kindern durchgeführt. Wir durchsuchten die Datenbanken von Medline^®, Pubmed^® und Scopus, um Publikationen zu finden, bei denen UCAs intravenös an Patienten unter 18 verabreicht wurden. Im Detail untersuchten wir neun Arbeiten (7 Fallberichte, 2 Orginal-Forschungsstudien), die Untersuchungen an Kindern unter intravenöser Gabe von UCA beschreiben, sowie 23 Originalarbeiten, in denen die Studiengruppe mindestens eine Person unter 18 Jahren beinhaltete. In keiner der untersuchten Studien gab es irgendwelche Berichte über Nebenwirkungen nach UCA-Gabe.

Key words

ultrasound - contrast agents - children

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