Sonography of the kidney and urinary tract

Sonography has become integral to the evaluation and management of patients with renal disease. Although many of the procedures discussed in this issue are not feasible for all nephrologists, sonography clearly is. It is convenient and saves time, both for the physician and the patient, and the equipment is not expensive. It is not a difficult skill to learn, as evidenced by the growing number of nephrologists who have learned it, and it greatly enhances the practice of nephrology. Even nephrologists who do not plan to acquire this skill should be familiar with it to understand the indications and limitations, and to participate in its interpretation. Sonography, both the performance and interpretation, is an acquired skill that requires hands-on training, supervision, and practice, and thus cannot be learned solely by reading. Therefore, the goal here is not to teach sonography but rather to provide a basic overview of sonography, discuss its role in nephrology, and present information relevant to incorporating sonography into a nephrology practice.