1. Referrals for bowel ultrasound in clinical practice: A survey in 12 nationwide centres in Italy
- Author
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Fulvia Terracciano, Andrea Dalaiti, Sara Massironi, Andrea Giannetti, Mirella Fraquelli, Giovanni Maconi, Caterina Rigazio, Ilario de Sio, G. Francica, Paola Roselli, E. Radice, Matteo Badini, Luigi Castellano, Fabio Farci, and Federico Marcucci
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Gastrointestinal Diseases ,Referring Physician ,Routine practice ,Sensitivity and Specificity ,General Practitioners ,Predictive Value of Tests ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,Humans ,Child ,Referral and Consultation ,Aged ,Ultrasonography ,Aged, 80 and over ,Gastrointestinal tract ,Hepatology ,business.industry ,General surgery ,Ultrasound ,Gastroenterology ,Middle Aged ,Intestines ,Clinical Practice ,Italy ,Health Care Surveys ,Female ,Radiology ,business - 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.
- Published
- 2011