Status of neurosonology in Spain. A study from the Spanish Society of Neurosonology (SONES).

Abstract

Introduction: Neurosonology is the field of study of the ultrasound techniques applied to neurological diseases. The Spanish Society of Neurosonology (SONES) was funded in 1997 to promote training and education in these techniques, especially focused on the study of cerebrovascular diseases. After 25 years, the increased use of other advanced neurovascular imaging techniques and the emergence of novel applications of ultrasound in other fields of neurology, have modified the classic role of neurosonology. From the SONES we aimed to evaluate the current status of neurosonology in Spain.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of neurologists and neurology residents working in Spain regarding training, education, and local daily practice, including a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis.

Results: One-hundred seventy-eight neurologists and thirty-four neurology residents participated in the survey. A wide experience in vascular neurosonology (90% of respondents' Neurology departments) and limited experience in brain parenchyma sonography (34%), cardiac echoscopy (25%), ultrasound-guided techniques (24%), and nerve ultrasound (14%) was reported. Fifty-three percent of the participants reported to have a full-time neurosonology lab in their department and only 14% reported to have neurologists dedicated exclusively to neurosonology. Most participants (54%) reported to lack continuous learning opportunities, and 97% to need training in one or more neurosonology techniques. Main SWOT were respectively requiring expertise, shortage of time, versatility and comprehensive management of the neurological patient.

Conclusion: Vascular neurosonology is widely instituted in Spain, but the implementation of full-time neurosonology labs and training in non-vascular neurosonology techniques is yet scarce.