Laurence Parker PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

David Carl Levin MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Vijay Madan Rao MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Andrea J Frangos MPH, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jonathan H. Sunshine PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Different specialties perform ultrasound (US) of the GU tract and there is sometimes competition between them. Our purpose was to determine how many of these studies are performed by radiologists compared with other specialists.

The 2003 nationwide Medicare Part B Master Summary dataset was used. Nine CPT-4 codes relating to diagnostic GU US were studied, as was the single code for prostate biopsy of any type (most but not all of these are performed with US guidance). The Medicare physician specialty codes were used to determine the specialty of the provider for each claim.

A total of 2,930,984 diagnostic GU US procedures were performed on Medicare patients in 2003. Radiologists performed 1,841,824 (63%). Urologists performed 666,279 (23%); OB/GYNs 157,341 (5%); nephrologists 5754 (0.2%); other physicians 172,845 (6%); and in 3% the specialty of the physician provider could not be determined. The most commonly used codes and their procedure volumes were retroperitoneal US complete (955,448), retroperitoneal US limited (577,410), transabdominal pelvic US complete (530,172), transvaginal US (292,794), and transrectal US (290,186). Of the 262,784 prostate biopsies performed, urologists did 235,184 (89%) and radiologists 3710 (1%).

Radiologists strongly predominate in diagnostic US of the GU tract but have a very limited role in prostate biopsy.

Parker, L, Levin, D, Rao, V, Frangos, A, Sunshine, J, Practice Patterns in Ultrasound of the Genitourinary (GU) Tract.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4408629.html