Effect of body position on ultrasonographic estimations of bladder volume

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of body position on ultrasonographic bladder measurements and volume estimations. Of the 42 dogs studied, 15 were fresh canine cadavers without urological disease and the remaining 27 were undergoing investigations for disorders of the lower urinary tract. Bladder volume was estimated using a formula described previously. Irrespective of whether all dogs were considered together or only live animals were included, measurements made in dorsal recumbency tended to underestimate bladder volume while those made in right lateral recumbency resulted in overestimation. This was due to significant differences in all linear measurements, apart from width, between body positions. Measurements in right lateral recumbency were higher than those in dorsal recumbency. In all animals and in living dogs alone, bladder measurements in dorsal recumbency appeared to give a more accurate estimation of actual bladder volume.