The recent development of sonographic contrast agents (or "microbubbles") has stimulated increasingly intensive studies on the relationships between ultrasound and contrast media. As a result, contrast-specific hard- and software systems have been developed with impressive speed and a new imaging modality, "contrast-enhanced ultrasound" (CEUS), has been introduced. This book is the result of the collaboration of a group of "pioneers" of CEUS, who wish to give the reader a complete overview of second-generation contrast agents, to depict their clinical applications and to present the most...

This book is intended as a practical manual on the use of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) as a tool for imaging guidance during cranial and spinal neurosurgical procedures. Full account is taken of the emergence of novel clinical applications and recent technical advances, with extensive coverage of the impact of developments such as improved probe technology, fusion imaging and virtual navigation, 3D ultrasound imaging, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and elastosonography. Basic principles of ultrasound are elucidated in order to assist in the optimal use of IOUS and clear guidance is...