title: Referrals for bowel ultrasound in clinical practice: a survey in 12 nationwide centres in Italy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The value of ultrasound (US) in assessing gastrointestinal diseases is well documented, but its demand in clinical practice is unknown. This survey evaluated the demand for bowel US in Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve sonographers of the Gastroenterology Section of the Italian Society of Ultrasound participated in a 1-month survey; they compiled a questionnaire assessing total number of patients referred for abdominal US and for gastrointestinal tract US, type of referring physician, indications and results of examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey included 2424 examinations, 586 of which (24%) investigated the gastrointestinal tract: 280 for signs or symptoms and 268 for follow-up of pre-existing gastrointestinal diseases. Referring physicians were mainly gastroenterologists (78%) and general practitioners (13%). Organic lesions were found or suspected in 292 examinations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bowel US is used in Italy in routine practice, mainly by gastroenterologists and general practitioners, both for follow-up of pre-existing diseases and for gastrointestinal complaints.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, L Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy. giovanni.maconi@unimi.it
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maconi
authors.forename: Fulvia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Terracciano
authors.forename: Ilario
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: de Sio
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rigazio
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roselli
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Radice
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castellano
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farci
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Francica
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giannetti
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marcucci
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalaiti
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Badini
authors.forename: Mirella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fraquelli
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Massironi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography