Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound: History and Basic Principles

In this chapter, we introduce the history of ultrasound and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). We want to explain the background to ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) for the liver and other organs. In addition, a short introduction into how dynamic contrast enhanced ultrasound and time intensity curve analysis (TICA) might help to better understand how to evaluate treatment responses. Finally we describe how CEUS has reached become an essential tool in daily medical practice.