Usefulness of bedside ultrasonography in the emergency room

Purpose: Bedside emergency renal ultrasonography (BERU) performed and interpreted by emergency physicians with limited training and experience is increasing in use and gaining acceptance. BERU concentrates on the focused presence or absence of hydronephrosis as is often seen in patients with acute flank pain secondary to renal colic. ED visit rates for urolithiasis increased from 178 to 340 visits per 100,000 individuals from 1992 – 2009. Therefore, it is a common condition in the ED. In many patients, BERU may obviate the need for further diagnostic workup and speed the diagnosis and treatment of an emergency p…