Cost-Effectiveness of CEUS in Pediatric Practice

The introduction of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in paediatric practice will alleviate the burden of excess radiation of computed tomography, remove the added complications surrounding the administration of renal function–dependent contrast media and avoid the potential deposition of gadolinium. A further benefit is the reduction of cost when the inexpensive ultrasound examination is deployed, even with the addition of an ultrasound contrast agent, whence downstream imaging costs are avoided with a clear diagnostic outcome from the CEUS examination. This chapter reviews the evidence for the cost-effectiveness of using CEUS in the imaging algorithm, both in the adult and paediatric population, presenting evidence of the usefulness in the workup of the paediatric patient.