Contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) a novel tool to detect intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in severe COVID-19 disease

Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2022;81(2):177-190. doi: 10.3233/CH-221407.

Abstract

Ten patients with confirmed COVID-19 disease were studied. Nine patients required intensive care treatment, among them four needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) was performed by one experienced investigator as a bolus injection of up to 2.4 ml of sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles via a central venous catheter. B-Mode evaluation and strain elastography showed mural edema of the small bowel with a thickness of up to 10 mm in all patients. We applied color coded Doppler sonography (CCDS) and power mode with flow-adapted parameters and early, dynamic capillary arterial contrast enhancement of bowel wall structures <10 s to assess perfusion of the small bowel. In all patients, reactive hyperemia was seen in the entire small bowel. In a subgroup of seven patients microbubbles translocated into the intestinal lumen. Thus, high-grade intestinal barrier disruption secondary to SARSCoV-2 infection can be postulated in these patients.This is the first description of perfusion changes and a disruption of the small bowel epithelial barrier in COVID-19 Patients using contrast ultrasonography and elastography.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / diagnostic imaging
  • Contrast Media
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques*
  • Humans
  • Microbubbles
  • Ultrasonography
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

Substances

  • Contrast Media