Introduction
Clinician performed ultrasound is a valuable tool to gain timely access
to diagnostic imaging, facilitate image guided procedures such as biopsy
and therapeutic injections, and to enhance the value of the
patient-physician visit. Increasingly, training opportunities are
available to the non-radiologist, in the form of head and neck
ultrasound courses offered by professional specialty societies[1],
with positive impact on patient care[2].
Several subspecialties perform head and neck ultrasounds on a routine
basis including general surgery, otolaryngologists, radiologists, and
endocrinologists. However, the utilization of this powerful tool by each
of these subspecialties is largely unknown. This study seeks to measure
the magnitude of utilization of clinician-performed ultrasound among
otolaryngologists, general surgeons, endocrinologists, and diagnostic
radiologists.