Evaluating haematuria: ultrasonography and the day case diagnostic service

Abstract

Haematuria may herald the presence of sinister underlying disease, notably malignancy of the urinary tract. Applying the conventional management pathway involving numerous clinic visits and referrals, waiting list for imaging studies of the upper tract, diagnostic cystoscopy and then therapeutic endoscopy in different venues often leads to substantial delay in diagnosis and appropriate intervention. A rapid access haematuria clinic is therefore advocated. The day case haematuria diagnostic service combining diagnostic imaging and flexible cystoscopy has proven to be highly effective. In this connection, transabdominal ultrasonography has been employed increasingly as the primary imaging modality.