Over the years the popularity of ultrasound (US) instruments has risen as they have become smaller, less expensive, and easier to use. Also, the performance, reliability and flexibility of US scanners have increased, resulting in lower costs per unit of performance. However, US is a highly operator-dependent tool as noted by the World Health Organization (WHO) scientific Group on Clinical Diagnostic Imaging : "… more important than the equipment is the availability of skills. An error in diagnosis because of inadequate education and experience is as dangerous as being without the equipment , and the success of any interventional procedure is very dependent on the skills and the experience of the responsible physician".

Given the importance of US ,it is surprising that training in the use of such an important tool is far from widespread even at international institutions with a long record in the teaching of infectious and tropical diseases. To fill this gap, the Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IRCCS S.Matteo, University of Pavia organizes every year a short course in Ultrasound in Infectious and Tropical Diseases.

The course is built on the experience that the Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, has collected over the years in this field, with special emphasis on the use of US in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial and amebic abscesses, abdominal cystic echinococcosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) .

The Division has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WHO for initiatives concerning the minimally invasive treatments for cystic echinococcosis. Carlo Filice (Coordinator : PAIR Network), Calum Macpherson (Coordinator: Standardization of the ultrasound classification of hydatid cysts) and Enrico Brunetti are members of the WHO Informal Working Group on Cystic Echinococcosis.

Over the years several contacts have been made with colleagues and institution from different areas of the world, particularly China, Kenya,Tanzania, the Netherlands ,Germany, Portugal, France, UK, United States. From these contacts the faculty of this course has been selected

Since US is highly operator-dependent and works best as a complement to clinical work, the practical, hands-on part of the course will be especially emphasized, with 20 hours of practical training under the direct supervision of the trainers.

Trainers are staff from the Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases. The Division has a 15 years experience in teaching US in Infectious Diseases. Every year it hosts a 12- month Course on US in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases organized by the Italian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology . Courses and lectures on US and Infectious and Tropical Diseases, have been organized by the Division in several Countries ( Kenya, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Tunisia , Jordan, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany , United States , Argentina, China).