Office urologic ultrasound.

Advances in technology have made ultrasound equipment available for office use. The indications for examination vary depending on the region of the body where disease is suspected. For some conditions, ultrasound may not be an appropriate diagnostic modality. It is the responsibility of the physician to decide whether office ultrasonography is of value. As the equipment is assimiliated into the diagnostic armamentarium, more information on the cost effectiveness and efficacy of office ultrasound for the urologist will become available. Ultrasonography should be performed by the clinician only after appropriate training. Office-based, urologist-operated ultrasound should not replace the proper evaluation of the patient by a radiologist who is trained specifically to make diagnoses using this modality. However, for quick, efficient evaluation of the patient to uncover a disease process, office ultrasonography may supplement the information available through routine history, physical examination, and laboratory studies.