Detrusor thickness in healthy children assessed by a standardized ultrasound method

We determine the ultrasonographic detrusor thickness in healthy infants and children.

We studied 150 healthy children, 79 boys and 71 girls, from newborns to 13 years old. The detrusor of the ventral and dorsal wall was measured with a previously established ultrasonographic technique, and the variation with age and bladder fullness was assessed.

Detrusor thickness varied significantly with the degree of bladder fullness (thinner at higher volumes). It also increased slightly with age. At bladder fullness of 10% or greater of expected bladder capacity (EBC), calculated using the formula EBC (ml.) = age (years) x 30 + 30, a practical upper limit for the detrusor thickness of the ventral wall at all ages was 2.0 mm. at a bladder fullness up to 50% of expected bladder capacity or 1.5 mm. at a higher degree of fullness. The detrusor of the ventral wall was slightly thicker in boys than in girls and also somewhat thicker than the detrusor of the dorsal wall.

The results indicate that ultrasonographic measurements of detrusor thickness in children may serve as a diagnostic tool and its usefulness in clinical as well as research work should be explored.