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.