Delayed contrast enhancement of hepatic parenchyma after intravenous sonographic contrast agent: unusual phenomenon. Case report and review of literature

Abstract

Abstract Aim A case of heterogeneous late-phase hepatic enhancement (HLHE) using contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with SonoVue is presented, where HLHE lasted after 50 min of injection. Methods This study aims to review prior literature on this topic, to characterize the features of HLHE in the liver, and to find possible and reliable explanations for this phenomenon. Results From literature, thus far five publications discuss this phenomenon with a total of 21 patients. Conclusion We suggest that phagocytosis of contrast agent microbubbles by macrophages, and lymphocytosis of peripheral blood due to stress conditions of the patients might be in the background of HLHE.