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Background <p>Ultrasound (US) is an increasingly utilized imaging technique in nephrology,&#xa0; for diagnostic and interventional applications. In spite of growing interest, its implementation across Italian nephrology centers remains poorly documented. To address this gap, a cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the modalities of&#xa0;the training of expert nephrologists and current practices of diagnostic and interventional US&#xa0;procedures &#xa0;performed by nephrologists&#xa0;in Italy.</p> Methods <p>We developed a 24-question electronic survey that collected data on (1) participants' background (years in US practice and certification), (2) type of US examinations performed (B-mode US, echo color Doppler studies, echocardiography, arteriovenous fistula [AV] assessment, US in peritoneal dialysis, and contrast-enhanced US), and (3) US-guided interventional procedures (kidney biopsies, central venous catheter [CVC] placements, and AV fistula [AVF] complications).</p> Results <p>Questionnaires were returned by 115 nephrology units across Italy. Only 39% of respondents held formal US certification, and 65% stated they wished to attend US courses. Renal and urinary tract US was performed in 90% of respondent&#xa0;centers, followed by AV fistula echo color Doppler in 72%. However, advanced applications such as lung US or echocardiography were carried out in only 32% and 12% of centers, respectively. Regarding US-guided procedures, nephrologists performed CVC placements in 64% of responding&#xa0;centers and kidney biopsies in 37%.</p> Conclusions <p>This survey showed that US is widely used in Italian nephrology&#xa0;centers for renal and urinary tract imaging, AVF assessment, and CVC insertion. However, it also revealed a strong interest among nephrologists in further enhancing their US competencies through structured training programs, which should be promoted to improve the performance and diffusion of US in nephrology care.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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From stethoscope to ultrasound: an Italian survey of nephrology ultrasound practice

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月18日

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  • Paolo Lentini,
  • Michele Antonio Prencipe,
  • Maurizio Garozzo,
  • Fulvio Fiorini,
  • Alessandro D’Amelio,
  • Mauro Forcella,
  • Alessio Montanaro,
  • Federica Baciga,
  • Antonio Granata,
  • Giovanni Santarsia,
  • Yuri Battaglia,
  • Antonio Granata,
  • Riccardo Marras,
  • Paolo Monardo,
  • Federico Nalesso,
  • Pernina Angelini,
  • Alessandro Colombo,
  • Yuri Battaglia,
  • Michele Vergura,
  • Luca Apicella,
  • Lojze Celik,
  • Michele A. Prencipe,
  • Fernando Musio,
  • Giuseppe Fioravanti,
  • Enrica Falbo,
  • Amelia Liccardo,
  • Dea Venanzia Saulle,
  • Paolo Gabella,
  • Cornacchiari Marina,
  • Leonardo Spatola,
  • Pasqualina Acconcia,
  • Piera Serio,
  • Elisa Giglio,
  • Andrea Mancini,
  • Anna Mudoni,
  • Loredana Arnesano,
  • Sara Viganò,
  • Giordano Fumagalli,
  • Roberto Scarpioni,
  • Salvatore Mancuso,
  • Viviana Lacava,
  • Donato Paoletti,
  • Vincenzo Fanelli,
  • Anna Lisa Marangi,
  • Armando Melfitano,
  • Elena Alberghini,
  • Vito Pepe,
  • Fulvio Fiorini,
  • Massimiliano Migliori,
  • Alessandro Gemelli,
  • Alessandro Damelio,
  • Carlo Maria Massara,
  • Paolo Lentini,
  • Fausta Catapano,
  • Laura Rivoli,
  • Nicla Campobasso,
  • Andrea Angioi,
  • Rivera Rodolfo,
  • Carmela Caputo,
  • Franco Perrone,
  • Mariadelina Someoni,
  • Laura Biselli,
  • Vincenzo Barbera,
  • Andrea Bandera,
  • Giovanni Utzeri,
  • Giuseppe Di Giorgio,
  • Agostino Tedesco,
  • Giovanni Pugliesr,
  • Maurizio Garozzo,
  • Matthias R. H. Zeiler,
  • Fanny Tosetti,
  • Mariacarla Porcu,
  • Luisa De Sanctis,
  • Luciano Cencioni,
  • Fulvio Marrocco,
  • Filippo Mangione,
  • Gianni Cappelli,
  • Pierfelice Zazzera,
  • Antonio Pappani,
  • Roberta Lazzarin,
  • Marco Allinovi,
  • Mauro Dugo,
  • Sara Samoni,
  • Luigi Villa,
  • Davide Viggiano,
  • Cosimo Marseglia,
  • Alfredo Laudani,
  • Luigi Annicchiarico Petruzzelli,
  • Carlo Jovane,
  • Claudio Americo,
  • Umberto Savi,
  • Michela Tedesco,
  • Gianvincenzo Melfa,
  • Valerio Bertino,
  • Mario Meola,
  • Andrea Molino,
  • Giorgia Caloro,
  • Francesco Napolitano,
  • Luca Zanoli,
  • Elisabetta Margiotta,
  • Giuseppe Tarantino,
  • Leonardo Maffione,
  • Pasquale Zamboli,
  • Michelangelo Eroli,
  • Carmine Chiappetta,
  • Felice Nappi,
  • D. Annamaria,
  • Sara Battistoni,
  • Giuseppe Patane,
  • Paolo Scaramuzzo,
  • Concetto Sessa,
  • Francesco Buono,
  • Maria Alessandra Riva,
  • Raffaela Sciri,
  • Paolo Consonni,
  • Francesco Antonio Savino

摘要

Background

Ultrasound (US) is an increasingly utilized imaging technique in nephrology,  for diagnostic and interventional applications. In spite of growing interest, its implementation across Italian nephrology centers remains poorly documented. To address this gap, a cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the modalities of the training of expert nephrologists and current practices of diagnostic and interventional US procedures  performed by nephrologists in Italy.

Methods

We developed a 24-question electronic survey that collected data on (1) participants' background (years in US practice and certification), (2) type of US examinations performed (B-mode US, echo color Doppler studies, echocardiography, arteriovenous fistula [AV] assessment, US in peritoneal dialysis, and contrast-enhanced US), and (3) US-guided interventional procedures (kidney biopsies, central venous catheter [CVC] placements, and AV fistula [AVF] complications).

Results

Questionnaires were returned by 115 nephrology units across Italy. Only 39% of respondents held formal US certification, and 65% stated they wished to attend US courses. Renal and urinary tract US was performed in 90% of respondent centers, followed by AV fistula echo color Doppler in 72%. However, advanced applications such as lung US or echocardiography were carried out in only 32% and 12% of centers, respectively. Regarding US-guided procedures, nephrologists performed CVC placements in 64% of responding centers and kidney biopsies in 37%.

Conclusions

This survey showed that US is widely used in Italian nephrology centers for renal and urinary tract imaging, AVF assessment, and CVC insertion. However, it also revealed a strong interest among nephrologists in further enhancing their US competencies through structured training programs, which should be promoted to improve the performance and diffusion of US in nephrology care.

Graphical abstract