The use of ultrasonography and especially of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the diagnosis of vascular pathologies before and after interventions has significantly increased over the past years due to the broader availability of modern ultrasound systems with CEUS capabilities and more trained user experience in this imaging modality. For the preinterventional and postinterventional work-up of carotid diseases, duplex ultrasound as well as CEUS have been established as the standard-of-care examination procedures for diagnosis, evaluation, and follow-up. In addition to its use for carotid arterial diseases, ultrasonography has also become the primary modality for the screening of vascular pathologies. This review describes the most common pathologies found in ultrasonography of the carotid arteries, the abdominal aorta, and the femoral arteries.
Aorta, Abdominal ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Carotid Stenosis ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis ; Femoral Artery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Mass Screening ; Pathology ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Ultrasonography*

For evaluating unclear tumorous lesions, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is an important imaging modality in addition to contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and may provide valuable insights into the microvascularization of tumors in dynamic examinations. In interventional procedures, CEUS can make a valuable contribution in pre-, peri-, and post-interventional settings, reduce radiation exposure and, under certain circumstances, decrease the number of interventions needed for patients.

Aorta, Abdominal ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Contrast Media ; Humans ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Ultrasonography ; methods