{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,10]],"date-time":"2026-06-10T02:01:08Z","timestamp":1781056868545,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":24,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,14]],"date-time":"2026-05-14T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1778716800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,14]],"date-time":"2026-05-14T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1778716800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"Alma Mater Studiorum - Universit\u00e0 di Bologna"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["J Ultrasound"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>The evaluation of low-velocity blood flow and complex vascular patterns remains a recognized limitation of conventional color Doppler ultrasound in abdominal imaging. Microvascular flow imaging (MV-Flow) is an advanced Doppler technique designed to enhance sensitivity to slow and heterogeneous blood flow while effectively suppressing tissue motion artifacts. This pictorial essay illustrates the main sonographic applications of MV-Flow across a wide spectrum of abdominal clinical scenarios, including arterial flow alterations, venous and portal vascular disorders, post-transplantation hemodynamic changes, inflammatory parenchymal conditions, and selected focal liver lesions. Representative imaging examples are provided to highlight characteristic flow patterns and vascular architectures that are not readily appreciable with conventional Doppler techniques. In this context, MV-Flow represents a valuable complementary tool in abdominal ultrasound, improving pattern recognition and diagnostic confidence during non-invasive clinical assessment. In addition, by improving the non-invasive characterization of vascular and perfusion patterns, MV-Flow may reduce the need for further cross-sectional imaging, potentially lowering healthcare costs and minimizing patient exposure to ionizing radiation.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1007\/s40477-026-01163-7","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,14]],"date-time":"2026-05-14T05:01:05Z","timestamp":1778734865000},"page":"443-455","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Non-contrast microvascular flow imaging in abdominal ultrasound: a pictorial essay"],"prefix":"10.1007","volume":"29","author":[{"given":"Marco","family":"Musmeci","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alice","family":"Brighenti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Carla","family":"Serra","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9303-7790","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andrea","family":"Boccatonda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,14]]},"reference":[{"issue":"80","key":"1163_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e223","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jacc.2022.08.004","volume":"2022","author":"EM Isselbacher","year":"2022","unstructured":"Isselbacher EM, Preventza O, Hamilton Black Iii J et al (2022) ACC\/AHA guideline for the diagnosis and management of aortic disease: a report of the American heart association\/American college of cardiology joint committee on clinical practice guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol 2022(80):e223\u2013e393. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jacc.2022.08.004","journal-title":"J Am Coll Cardiol"},{"key":"1163_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3538","DOI":"10.1093\/eurheartj\/ehae179","volume":"45","author":"L Mazzolai","year":"2024","unstructured":"Mazzolai L, Teixido-Tura G, Lanzi S et al (2024) 2024 ESC guidelines for the management of peripheral arterial and aortic diseases. Eur Heart J 45:3538\u20133700. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/eurheartj\/ehae179","journal-title":"Eur Heart J"},{"key":"1163_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1017","DOI":"10.1007\/s40477-025-01068-x","volume":"28","author":"M Becciolini","year":"2025","unstructured":"Becciolini M, Brighenti A, Tiraferri V et al (2025) B-flow imaging in abdominal ultrasound: a pictorial essay. J Ultrasound 28:1017\u20131030. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40477-025-01068-x","journal-title":"J Ultrasound"},{"key":"1163_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"250","DOI":"10.1148\/radiol.213303","volume":"305","author":"MU Aziz","year":"2022","unstructured":"Aziz MU, Eisenbrey JR, Deganello A et al (2022) Microvascular flow imaging: a state-of-the-art review of clinical use and promise. Radiology 305:250\u2013264. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1148\/radiol.213303","journal-title":"Radiology"},{"key":"1163_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ebiom.2024.105528","volume":"111","author":"H Leroy","year":"2025","unstructured":"Leroy H, Wang LZ, Jimenez A et al (2025) Assessment of microvascular flow in human atherosclerotic carotid plaques using ultrasound localization microscopy. EBioMedicine 111:105528. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ebiom.2024.105528","journal-title":"EBioMedicine"},{"key":"1163_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.1186\/s40644-022-00458-2","volume":"22","author":"Y Mao","year":"2022","unstructured":"Mao Y, Mu J, Zhao J et al (2022) The comparative study of color doppler flow imaging, superb microvascular imaging, contrast-enhanced ultrasound micro flow imaging in blood flow analysis of solid renal mass. Cancer Imaging 22:21. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s40644-022-00458-2","journal-title":"Cancer Imaging"},{"key":"1163_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1055\/a-2761-1329s","author":"V Cantisani","year":"2025","unstructured":"Cantisani V, Radzina M, Dietrich CF et al (2025) EFSUMB guidelines on multiparametric ultrasound thyroid nodule evaluation: PART II. Ultraschall Med. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1055\/a-2761-1329s","journal-title":"Ultraschall Med"},{"key":"1163_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1055\/a-2655-8601","author":"A Boccatonda","year":"2025","unstructured":"Boccatonda A, Schiavone C, Serra C et al (2025) Gallbladder polyps: ultrasound diagnosis, updated guidelines, and clinical management. Ultraschall Med. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1055\/a-2655-8601","journal-title":"Ultraschall Med"},{"key":"1163_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1186\/s12880-017-0241-5","volume":"17","author":"R Lu","year":"2017","unstructured":"Lu R, Meng Y, Zhang Y et al (2017) Superb microvascular imaging (SMI) compared with conventional ultrasound for evaluating thyroid nodules. BMC Med Imaging 17:65. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12880-017-0241-5","journal-title":"BMC Med Imaging"},{"key":"1163_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1023","DOI":"10.1007\/s11547-023-01679-6","volume":"128","author":"R Cannella","year":"2023","unstructured":"Cannella R, Pilato G, Mazzola M et al (2023) New microvascular ultrasound techniques: abdominal applications. Radiol Med 128:1023\u20131034. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11547-023-01679-6","journal-title":"Radiol Med"},{"issue":"2","key":"1163_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"283","DOI":"10.1007\/s10396-023-01397-6","volume":"51","author":"S Kikuchi","year":"2024","unstructured":"Kikuchi S, Kayama K, Kawada Y et al (2024) Evaluation of renal circulation in heart failure using superb microvascular imaging, a microvascular flow imaging system. J Med Ultrason 51(2):283\u2013292. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10396-023-01397-6","journal-title":"J Med Ultrason"},{"key":"1163_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"114","DOI":"10.1097\/00013644-200309000-00002","volume":"19","author":"RH Wachsberg","year":"2003","unstructured":"Wachsberg RH (2003) B-flow, a non-Doppler technology for flow mapping: early experience in the abdomen. Ultrasound Q 19:114\u2013122. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/00013644-200309000-00002","journal-title":"Ultrasound Q"},{"key":"1163_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00261-025-05328-6","author":"\u00c1 J\u00e1ray","year":"2025","unstructured":"J\u00e1ray \u00c1, Farkas PI, Botz B (2025) The, \u201csnow globe\u201d sign: a microvascular flow imaging artifact in cystic lesions, and the role of dispersed internal debris. Abdom Radiol (NY). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00261-025-05328-6","journal-title":"Abdom Radiol (NY)"},{"key":"1163_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.14366\/usg.23061","volume":"43","author":"L Ruan","year":"2024","unstructured":"Ruan L, Liu H, Xiang H et al (2024) Application of O-RADS US combined with MV-Flow to diagnose ovarian-adnexal tumors. Ultrasonography 43:15\u201324. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.14366\/usg.23061","journal-title":"Ultrasonography"},{"key":"1163_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"85","DOI":"10.14366\/usg.19033","volume":"39","author":"JS Bae","year":"2020","unstructured":"Bae JS, Lee JM, Jeon SK et al (2020) Comparison of MicroFlow Imaging with color and power Doppler imaging for detecting and characterizing blood flow signals in hepatocellular carcinoma. Ultrasonography 39:85\u201393. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.14366\/usg.19033","journal-title":"Ultrasonography"},{"key":"1163_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"729","DOI":"10.1002\/jum.16111","volume":"42","author":"H Han","year":"2023","unstructured":"Han H, Ji Z, Huang B et al (2023) The preliminary application of simultaneous display of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and micro-flow imaging technology in the diagnosis of hepatic tumors. J Ultrasound Med 42:729\u2013737. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/jum.16111","journal-title":"J Ultrasound Med"},{"key":"1163_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"408","DOI":"10.21037\/qims-23-445","volume":"14","author":"B Wang","year":"2024","unstructured":"Wang B, Yang J, Tang YL et al (2024) The value of microvascular Doppler ultrasound technique, qualitative or quantitative shear-wave elastography of breast lesions for predicting axillary nodal burden in patients with breast cancer. Quant Imaging Med Surg 14:408\u2013420. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.21037\/qims-23-445","journal-title":"Quant Imaging Med Surg"},{"key":"1163_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/cancers14215335","author":"GR Giammalva","year":"2022","unstructured":"Giammalva GR, Viola A, Maugeri R et al (2022) Intraoperative evaluation of brain-tumor microvascularization through MicroV IOUS: a protocol for image acquisition and analysis of radiomic features. Cancers (Basel). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/cancers14215335","journal-title":"Cancers (Basel)"},{"key":"1163_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1055\/a-2771-2690","author":"Y Wang","year":"2026","unstructured":"Wang Y, Feng H, Wei L et al (2026) Ultra-microangiography for evaluating Crohn\u2019s disease activity in pediatric patients: a prospective study. Ultraschall Med. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1055\/a-2771-2690","journal-title":"Ultraschall Med"},{"key":"1163_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"551","DOI":"10.1007\/s40477-025-01029-4","volume":"28","author":"A Boccatonda","year":"2025","unstructured":"Boccatonda A, Campello E, Tallarico V et al (2025) Splanchnic venous thrombosis in patients with acute cholecystitis: a case series and review of literature. J Ultrasound 28:551\u2013561. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40477-025-01029-4","journal-title":"J Ultrasound"},{"key":"1163_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e414","DOI":"10.5114\/pjr\/190502","volume":"89","author":"M Czeczelewski","year":"2024","unstructured":"Czeczelewski M, Kopyto E, Kuczy\u0144ska M et al (2024) Diagnostic accuracy of microvascular flow imaging ultrasound for endoleak detection after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pol J Radiol 89:e414\u2013e419. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5114\/pjr\/190502","journal-title":"Pol J Radiol"},{"key":"1163_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"851","DOI":"10.1007\/s40477-025-01088-7","volume":"28","author":"A Boccatonda","year":"2025","unstructured":"Boccatonda A, Brighenti A, Tiraferri V et al (2025) POCUS for acute abdominal pain: practical scan protocols on gastrointestinal diseases and an evidence review. J Ultrasound 28:851\u2013871. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40477-025-01088-7","journal-title":"J Ultrasound"},{"key":"1163_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"146","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejim.2025.02.001","volume":"136","author":"A Boccatonda","year":"2025","unstructured":"Boccatonda A, Brighenti A, Tiraferri V et al (2025) Bedside CEUS: a feasible option to consider. Eur J Intern Med 136:146\u2013147. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ejim.2025.02.001","journal-title":"Eur J Intern Med"},{"key":"1163_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2024.106149","volume":"199","author":"C Huang","year":"2024","unstructured":"Huang C, Zhang L, Jiang Y et al (2024) Evaluation of normal and abnormal fetal renal microvascular flow characteristics of three-dimensional MV-flow imaging. Early Hum Dev 199:106149. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2024.106149","journal-title":"Early Hum Dev"}],"container-title":["Journal of Ultrasound"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s40477-026-01163-7.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s40477-026-01163-7","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s40477-026-01163-7.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,10]],"date-time":"2026-06-10T01:33:08Z","timestamp":1781055188000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1007\/s40477-026-01163-7"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,14]]},"references-count":24,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6]]}},"alternative-id":["1163"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40477-026-01163-7","relation":{},"ISSN":["1876-7931"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1876-7931","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,14]]},"assertion":[{"value":"17 February 2026","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"30 April 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"14 May 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"Andrea Boccatonda is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Journal of Ultrasound and declares no conflicts of interest. Carla Serra is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Ultrasound and has received honoraria for invited lectures at scientific meetings sponsored by Bracco, ESAOTE, GE, Samsung, and Philips. Other authors declare no commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Conflicts of interest"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethical approval"}}]}}