title: [Ultrasound investigation in Apulo-Lucano renal echography study group of the Italian Society of Nephrology: a cognitive report].
abstract: The number of ultrasonography expert consultant Nephrologists is more and more increasing thanks to the contribution that this methodology has brought in both clinical and treatment fields. Up to now, a database of the ultrasonography benefits, as well as the main criteria for the interpretation of the urinary tract echographic examination has not been compiled, yet. We have therefore drawn up and distributed a questionnaire to the consultant nephrologists of the urinary tract echography study group (Apulo-Lucano division). This questionnaire is made up of 27 ultrasonography application and interpretation issues; it aims mainly at creating a common 'language' to reduce the variety of 'descriptors' currently employed by all different specialists and centres involved. 60 consultant nephrologists participated in the study, from the 29 Nephrology and Dialysis O.U.s of Puglia and Basilicata regions, where there is an active echographic service. Data collected show the key role of ultrasonography investigation for all nephrology patients, as high quality and cost efficient test procedure. Moreover, despite the fact that there are differences in echographic examination performance and interpretation, literature data show clearly that it is fundamental to follow general shared principles. The responsibility and task of those specializing in this discipline should be to allow reproduction and comparison of ultrasonographies, also among different operators and centres, and meta studies, i.e. 'a series of comparative studies', which are still very few in number.
authors.affiliation: U.O. Nefrologia e Dialisi, Ospedale 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza', IRCCS, S.G. Rotondo (FG) - Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prencipe
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Angelini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Amelio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schiavone
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009398:Nephrology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data