This book is a wide-ranging guide to current and emerging applications of ultrasonography within nephrology that aims to provide readers with a sound understanding of the rationale for the use of ultrasound techniques in various disease settings,  for example, complications following renal transplantation, arteriovenous fistulas, renal artery stenosis, nonstenotic renal artery pathology, renal vein pathology, aortic disease, and acute renal failure. Particular emphasis is placed on newer applications, such as those involving elastosonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, and color Doppler imaging. There is no doubt that ultrasound techniques can improve the standard of care in nephrology, from vascular access planning to management of uremic complications. Nevertheless, many nephrologists continue to delegate the performance of ultrasonography to radiologists or other colleagues, which is especially regrettable given the advent of affordable, portable ultrasound scanners. This book will be of value for all clinicians interested in the role of ultrasound techniques in nephrology and will be especially useful for nephrologists seeking to incorporate ultrasonography into their practice.

Antonio Granata graduated in 1990 from the University of Catania Medical School, Italy, where he subsequently gained his Diploma of Specialization in Nephrology. In 2002-3 he completed a Diploma in Doppler Ultrasound at the University of Pisa and in 2009, a Diploma of Specialization in Internal Medicine at the University of Catania Medical School. In August 2000, Dr. Granata was appointed as a Consultant in the Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, AOU 'Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele', Catania and in September 2011 he became Head of the Department of Nephrology and Dialysis at 'St. Giovanni di Dio' Hospital, Agrigento, Italy. Dr. Granata is a member of the Italian Society of Nephrology and the European Society of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation (ERA-EDTA). 
Michele Bertolotto: ESUR Fellow. Served on the Board of the section of Urogenital radiology (2000-2004) of the Italian Society of Radiology. Currently serving on the board of the section of uroandrological Ultrasound of the Italian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. Authors of many papers, book chapters, and a book in genitourinary radiology. Carlo Trombetta: He was president of S.I.E.U.N. (Italian Society of Urological and Nephrological Ultrasounds) and he organized the 1st Congress of the European Society of Urological Imaging (ESUI) in 2003. He was chairman of the European Society of Urological Imaging (ESUI) in the period between 2001-2005. Involved in an International Master in Andrology organized with Innsbruck and Lubiana universities in 2009 .Authors of several papers, book chapters, and a book in genitourinary ultrasound.