Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a relatively novel, but increasingly used, diagnostic imaging modality. In recent years, due to its safety, quickness, and repeatability, several studies have demonstrated the accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of CEUS. The European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology has recently updated the previous guidelines from 2012 for the use of CEUS in non-hepatic applications. This review deals with the clinical use and applications of CEUS for the evaluation of non-hepatic abdominal organs, focusing on renal, splenic, and pancreatic applications.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) of the pancreatic body by assessing the overall survival of patients and evaluating the effects of the procedure in the clinical and radiological follow-up. Materials and Methods Patients with unresectable LAPC after failed chemoradiotherapy for at least six months were retrospectively included. Percutaneous RFA was performed after a preliminary ultrasound (US) feasibility evaluation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and CA 19.9 sampling were performed before and 24 hours and 30 days after the procedure to evaluate the effects of the ablation. Patients were followed-up after discharge considering the two main endpoints: procedure-related complications and death. Results 35 patients were included, 5 were excluded. All patients underwent RFA with no procedure-related complications reported. The mean size of tumors was 49 mm before treatment. The mean dimension of the ablated necrotic zone was 32 mm, with a mean extension of 65 % compared to the whole tumor size. Tumor density was statistically reduced one day after the procedure (p < 0.001). The mean CA 19.9 levels before and 24 hours and 30 days after the procedure were 285.8 U/mL, 635.2 U/mL, and 336.0 U/mL, respectively, with a decrease or stability at the 30-day evaluation in 80 % of cases. The mean survival was 310 (65–718) days. Conclusion Percutaneous RFA of LAPC is a feasible technique in patients who cannot undergo surgery, with great debulking effects and a very low complication rate.

Objectives: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a leading cause of mortality, accounting for approximately 50% of all cardiovascular deaths and 20% of all-natural deaths in Western countries. In individuals over 50 years of age, coronary artery disease (CAD) is responsible for more than 80% of cases, whereas in younger subjects SCD is more frequently associated with non-ischemic myocardial diseases, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and myocarditis. Additional causes in young adults include coronary artery anomalies and primary arrhythmic disorders related to channelopathies. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of post-mortem cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (PM-CMR) in identifying morphological substrates underlying SCD in formalin-fixed explanted hearts, with particular attention to the concordance between PM-CMR findings and autopsy results in cases of sudden coronary death. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 110 PM-CMR examinations from the Regional Register of Sudden Cardiac Death of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, of which 101 were included in the final analysis. Results: PM-CMR detected pathological findings in 60 hearts (59%), including acute ischemic lesions in 39 cases and other conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, chronic fibrotic ischemic changes, and adipose metaplasia in 21 cases. A good agreement between PM-CMR and autopsy findings was observed (Cohen’s kappa = 0.8). Conclusions: Overall, PM-CMR proved effective in identifying relevant morphological and signal alterations, supporting conventional autopsy. Despite some limitations, particularly in hyperacute ischemic lesions, PM-CMR appears to play a promising role in the diagnostic work-up of SCD and in supporting family screening programs for primary prevention.