Ultrasonography is a powerful nonionizing imaging modality that has generally been underused by American Urologists in the past. Innovative investigators and clinicians, however, are realizing the great potential of ultrasonography and are applying it increasingly not only in the clinic but in the operating room. In this commentary we Outline some of the current and future uses of intraoperative ultrasonography in urologic oncology. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.