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Trauma AbdomenPhase 4NCT03490929

CEUS for Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Children

A Phase 4 study testing Sulfur Hexafluoride Lipid Type A Microspheres 25 MG Intravenous Powder for Suspension [LUMASON] and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in people with Trauma Abdomen, run by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia at 2 sites in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Children with blunt abdominal trauma often get a CT as the first line imaging to evaluate for intra-abdominal organ injury. CT scans have some downsides with regard to radiation exposure, costs, and need for transport. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 0 to 17 years
Conditions the study is for
Trauma Abdomen
What is being tested?
Sulfur Hexafluoride Lipid Type A Microspheres 25 MG Intravenous Powder for Suspension [LUMASON] and contrast-enhanced ultrasound
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
146 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
1 Jun 2018to 31 Dec 2026
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 0 to 17 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Hemodynamically stable (defined as not needing massive transfusion protocol and not undergoing an emergent surgical procedure within the next hour)
  • History of or suspicion for blunt abdominal trauma
  • Abdominal CT ordered or obtained

Who cannot join

  • History of allergic reaction to Lumason, sulfur hexaflouride, sulfur hexafluoride lipid microsphere components, or other ingredients in Lumason (polyethylene glycol, distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol sodium (DPPG-Na), palmitic acid)
  • Co-existing penetrating abdominal trauma
  • Known congenital or acquired heart disease

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Aaron E Chen, MD contact

2674260383

chena2@chop.edu

Rachel Rempell, MD contact

2155907041

rempellr@chop.edu

United States2 sites, 2 recruiting
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19146

    Aaron E Chen, MD, 267-426-0383, CHENA2@chop.edu

    Tobias Kummer, MD

    Recruiting
  • Mayo Clinic

    Rochester, Minnesota, 55902

    Tobias Kummer, MD, 507-255-4732, kummer.tobias@mayo.edu

    Derek Vanmeter, 5072554732, VanMeter.Derek@mayo.edu

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography for Blunt Abdominal Trauma Imaging in Children

Children with blunt abdominal trauma often get a CT as the first line imaging to evaluate for intra-abdominal organ injury. CT scans have some downsides with regard to radiation exposure, costs, and need for transport. Contrast enhanced ultrasonography has recently shown some promise as a way to detect intra-abdominal organ injury and may be able to replace the need for conventional CT scanning, without the need for ionizing radiation and the ability to be performed at the bedside.

Read the detailed description

In children with abdominal trauma, computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen is considered the gold standard for the initial evaluation of solid organ injuries. The major drawbacks to CT include risks due to radiation exposure and necessity of transport of the patient. Ultrasound without contrast uses safer non-ionizing radiation and can be performed at the bedside, however it has been shown to have variable sensitivity and specificity for identifying intra-abdominal organ injury. Newer studies using contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) have shown promise for improving the sensitivity and specificity of this imaging modality.

Hypothesis(es) and Aims:

Hypothesis: Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has good sensitivity and specificity as compared to a gold standard conventional CT scan for the identification of intra-abdominal solid organ injury in hemodynamically stable children with blunt abdominal trauma. Specific Aims:

Primary Aim: To determine the test characteristics CEUS / conventional ultrasound for the detection of intra-abdominal solid organ injury, as compared to a gold standard CT scan, in hemodynamically stable children with blunt abdominal trauma

Design:

This will be a prospective cohort study to evaluate the test characteristics of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the detection of intra-abdominal solid organ injury in children with blunt abdominal trauma, as compared to a gold standard CT scan. Study subjects will be age 0-18 years, presenting with hemodynamically stable blunt abdominal trauma and for whom an abdominal CT scan is planned. The exclusion criteria will be a known allergy to the ultrasound contrast agent, co-existing penetrating abdominal trauma, or known congenital or acquired heart disease. Sample size calculations assume a baseline prevalence of disease in approximately 20% of patients receiving a CT scan, and target a sensitivity of at least 95% with a two-sided confidence interval precision of 8%, yielding an estimated sample size of 146 patients. The primary outcome will be calculation of sensitivity and specificity of CEUS as compared to a gold standard CT scan.

Conditions
Trauma Abdomen
Being tested
Sulfur Hexafluoride Lipid Type A Microspheres 25 MG Intravenous Powder for Suspension [LUMASON], contrast-enhanced ultrasound
Medical subject headings
Abdominal Injuries

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Sulfur Hexafluoride Lipid Type A Microspheres 25 MG Intravenous Powder for Suspension [LUMASON]Drug

    Also called Lumason

    injection of Lumason (ultrasound contrast agent)

  • contrast-enhanced ultrasoundDevice

    Also called ultrasound

    ultrasound of the abdomen after injection of ultrasound contrast agent (Lumason)

Study groups in NCT03490929
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound armExperimentalcontrast-enhanced ultrasound
Receives: Drug: Sulfur Hexafluoride Lipid Type A Microspheres 25 MG Intravenous Powder for Suspension [LUMASON]; Device: contrast-enhanced ultrasound

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Sensitivity of CEUS

    calculation of sensitivity of CEUS for organ injury, as compared to gold standard CT

    Measured: through study completion, which is expected to take around 3 years

  2. Specificity of CEUS

    calculation of specificity of CEUS for organ injury, as compared to gold standard CT exam

    Measured: through study completion, which is expected to take around 3 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Apr 2018
  2. Study start1 Jun 2018
  3. Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Diagnosis
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
146 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03490929
Sponsor's protocol ID
18-014905
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
23 Mar 2018
Last updated
17 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Armstrong LB, Mooney DP, Paltiel H, Barnewolt C, Dionigi B, Arbuthnot M, Onwubiko C, Connolly SA, Jarrett DY, Zalieckas JM. Contrast enhanced ultrasound for the evaluation of blunt pediatric abdominal trauma. J Pediatr Surg. 2018 Mar;53(3):548-552. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2017.03.042. Epub 2017 Mar 20.

    PubMed 28351519
  • Miele V, Piccolo CL, Galluzzo M, Ianniello S, Sessa B, Trinci M. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in blunt abdominal trauma. Br J Radiol. 2016;89(1061):20150823. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20150823. Epub 2016 Jan 8.

    PubMed 26607647
  • Menichini G, Sessa B, Trinci M, Galluzzo M, Miele V. Accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the identification and characterization of traumatic solid organ lesions in children: a retrospective comparison with baseline US and CE-MDCT. Radiol Med. 2015 Nov;120(11):989-1001. doi: 10.1007/s11547-015-0535-z. Epub 2015 Mar 31.

    PubMed 25822953
  • Cagini L, Gravante S, Malaspina CM, Cesarano E, Giganti M, Rebonato A, Fonio P, Scialpi M. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in blunt abdominal trauma. Crit Ultrasound J. 2013 Jul 15;5 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S9. doi: 10.1186/2036-7902-5-S1-S9. Epub 2013 Jul 15.

    PubMed 23902930
  • Cokkinos D, Antypa E, Stefanidis K, Tserotas P, Kostaras V, Parlamenti A, Tavernaraki K, Piperopoulos PN. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for imaging blunt abdominal trauma - indications, description of the technique and imaging review. Ultraschall Med. 2012 Feb;33(1):60-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1273442. Epub 2012 Jan 24.

    PubMed 22274907
  • Afaq A, Harvey C, Aldin Z, Leen E, Cosgrove D. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in abdominal trauma. Eur J Emerg Med. 2012 Jun;19(3):140-5. doi: 10.1097/MEJ.0b013e328348c980.

    PubMed 21934507
  • Valentino M, De Luca C, Galloni SS, Branchini M, Modolon C, Pavlica P, Barozzi L. Contrast-enhanced US evaluation in patients with blunt abdominal trauma(). J Ultrasound. 2010 Mar;13(1):22-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jus.2010.06.002. Epub 2010 Jul 8.

    PubMed 23396012
  • Valentino M, Ansaloni L, Catena F, Pavlica P, Pinna AD, Barozzi L. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in blunt abdominal trauma: considerations after 5 years of experience. Radiol Med. 2009 Oct;114(7):1080-93. doi: 10.1007/s11547-009-0444-0. Epub 2009 Sep 22.

    PubMed 19774445
  • Sivit CJ. Imaging children with abdominal trauma. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009 May;192(5):1179-89. doi: 10.2214/AJR.08.2163.

    PubMed 19380540
  • Catalano O, Aiani L, Barozzi L, Bokor D, De Marchi A, Faletti C, Maggioni F, Montanari N, Orlandi PE, Siani A, Sidhu PS, Thompson PK, Valentino M, Ziosi A, Martegani A. CEUS in abdominal trauma: multi-center study. Abdom Imaging. 2009 Mar-Apr;34(2):225-34. doi: 10.1007/s00261-008-9452-0.

    PubMed 18682877
  • Clevert DA, Weckbach S, Minaifar N, Clevert DA, Stickel M, Reiser M. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound versus MS-CT in blunt abdominal trauma. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2008;39(1-4):155-69.

    PubMed 18503121
  • Valentino M, Serra C, Pavlica P, Labate AM, Lima M, Baroncini S, Barozzi L. Blunt abdominal trauma: diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced US in children--initial experience. Radiology. 2008 Mar;246(3):903-9. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2463070652. Epub 2008 Jan 14.

    PubMed 18195385
  • Bixby SD, Callahan MJ, Taylor GA. Imaging in pediatric blunt abdominal trauma. Semin Roentgenol. 2008 Jan;43(1):72-82. doi: 10.1053/j.ro.2007.08.009. No abstract available.

    PubMed 18053830
  • Ntoulia A, Anupindi SA, Darge K, Back SJ. Applications of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the pediatric abdomen. Abdom Radiol (NY). 2018 Apr;43(4):948-959. doi: 10.1007/s00261-017-1315-0.

    PubMed 28980061
  • Darge K, Papadopoulou F, Ntoulia A, Bulas DI, Coley BD, Fordham LA, Paltiel HJ, McCarville B, Volberg FM, Cosgrove DO, Goldberg BB, Wilson SR, Feinstein SB. Safety of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in children for non-cardiac applications: a review by the Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR) and the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS). Pediatr Radiol. 2013 Sep;43(9):1063-73. doi: 10.1007/s00247-013-2746-6. Epub 2013 Jul 11.

    PubMed 23843130

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Sulfur Hexafluoride Lipid Type A Microspheres 25 MG Intravenous Powder for Suspension [LUMASON] and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in people with Trauma Abdomen, run by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia at 2 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Aaron E Chen, MD (2674260383, chena2@chop.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Sensitivity of CEUS (time frame: through study completion, which is expected to take around 3 years). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03490929, which also lists 16 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Dec 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 2 Nov 2026.

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