[The value of ultrasound examinations, including intraoperative sonography, in ENT practice].

Sonography is an established part of routine ENT examinations. Due to the anatomy of the head neck region most organs and their diseases are easily accessible to sonography. Constant technical advances mean that ultrasound, due to its high resolution capabilities, represents an outstanding diagnostic alternative to magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography. Sonography provides additional information of diagnostic value on various diseases occurring in the head and neck region. The use of sonography for diagnostic and follow-up examinations is integrated in daily clinical routine. Moreover, sonography is also a helpful intraoperative tool for both diagnostic and therapeutic reasons and offers new approaches for intraoperative navigation. © Springer-Verlag 2010