[Use in daily urological practice of an ultrasound device for measuring bladder volume].

INTRODUCTION

Bladder volume estimation is an everyday necessity in urology, especially for evaluation of the postvoid residual volume (PVR). The Bladder-Scan is a portable, noninvasive ultrasound device for bladder volume estimation. This study was designed to assess the value of the Bladder-Scan to measure PVR in routine hospital urological practice.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted from 1/12/1999 to 30/4/2000 with systematic use of the Bladder-Scan to measure PVR. Four operators performed three consecutive measurements of PVR and noted the following data: age, gender, history, type of disease and place of examination. The main endpoint was the need to use a complementary investigation to confirm or invalidate the result obtained.

RESULTS

PVR was determined in 250 consecutive patients (167 males, 83 females): 191 patients admitted to the urology department, 36 patients seen in the emergency room and 23 patients seen in other departments of the hospital. PVR was estimated to be between 0 and 400 cc (median: 72 cc) for 181 patients (72%), between 400 cc and 750 cc (median: 521 cc) in 50 patients (20%) and between 750 cc and 1000 cc (median: 942 cc) for 19 patients (8%). A control of the measurement was required for 27% of patients (68/250) using catheterism (n = 53) or sonography (n = 15). In this sub-group, the value of the ICC (intra-class correlation coefficient) for the measurement of the bladder volume using the Bladder-Scan and measurement of the volume controlled by sonography or catheterism was of 0.9888 (significance < 0.0001/nil hypothesis ICC = 0).

CONCLUSION

The Bladder-Scan provides a "third hand" in the urologist's daily practice, by supplying a reliable and rapid assessment of bladder volume for volumes < 750 cc. It is a good tool for the evaluation of postvoid residual volume.