The introduction of the Real Time Greyscale abdominal ultrasound scanner to the Radiology services in our hospital has led to increasing number of requests to use this new facility. A prospective study to evaluate the different applications and usefulness of the technique was undertaken. Cardiac ultrasound is well established in Sri Lanka for several years now and is not therefore included in our study. Ultrasound scan was requested for different clinical conditions. on 48 patients admitted to the medical wards of the University Unit from August 82 to December 82. They were grouped into (a) liver diseases 16. (b) Renal diseases 8. (c) Gall bladder diseases 13. (d) Pancreatic diseases 3. (e) Miscellaneous indications 8. We found that in 30 (61%) patients the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound examination. In 7 (15%) patients the examination did not provide any further additional information. In 11 (24%) cases, ultrasound suggested a different diagnosis to that clinically suspected. Evaluation of Jaundice was made quicker and management decision making was earlier than before the ultrasound era. Ultrasound was found helpful for detecting liver abscesses and secondaries. We also found it useful for space occupying lesions of kidney and in assessing renal size and here again in view of longer waiting lists for IVP, this quick noninvasive technique proved advantageous. Thus ultrasonography is useful in general medicine as a rapid and noninvasive diagnostic method and cases must be selected if we are to properly utilise this facility and prevent waiting lists as delays in obtaining the examination would considerably reduce its general value.
