In this educational exhibit, and using ultrasound images from our hospital, we aim to provide a “pictorial review” of the specific sonographic features of the main urological urgencies. Some cases will be complemented with computerized tomography (CT) images.

A significant proportion of the urological complaints seen in most emergency rooms (ERs) are acute urological urgencies. The urological pathology is very broad and its timely diagnosis is of particular importance, to prevent long-term complications, and to achieve an optimum satisfactory outcome.

The most common pathologies encompass acute scrotal conditions, acute urinary retention, acute renal colic, macroscopic hematuria, urinary tract infection, penile fracture, and Fournier gangrene (Figure 1).

In these contexts, ultrasound is the first-line imaging method. Although imaging techniques such as CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are still often required, due to their superior resolution capabilities in specific situations, ultrasound is an innocuous test, easily available, and highly sensitive in the hands of an expert radiologist. Nowadays, it has become an...

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Urological urgencies are frequent in the context of an ER. Their correct diagnosis is crucial to determine the appropriate treatment. Specific sonographic features have proven accurate in the diagnosis of both common and uncommon urogenital pathologies. Ultrasonography is, therefore, an innocuous test that is easily available and has a high sensitivity. Its use plays a pivotal role in the context of most hospital ERs.

References:

- Avery LL, Scheinfeld MH. Imaging of penile and scrotal emergencies. RadioGraphics. 2013; 33:721-774.

- Hertzberg BS, Middleton WD. The requisites: ultrasound. 3^rd edition, Elsevier, 2016.

- Manjunath AS, Hofer MD. Urologic Emergencies. Med Clin N Am. 2018;102:373-385.

- Moreno CC, Small WC, Camacho JC, Master V, Kokabi N, Lewis M, Hartman M, Mittal PK....

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