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Evaluation of a non-invasive method to determine bladder volume in children
D. E. Padmore1, P. A.M. Anderson, D. S. Tooth
1Department of Urology, Dalhousie University, IWK-Grace Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Insights
Portable ultrasound scanners offer a comfortable and accurate alternative to urethral catheterization for measuring bladder urine volume in children. This study validates their use in pediatric urology, showing good correlation with the gold standard method.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Medical Imaging
- Diagnostic Technology
Background:
- Urethral catheterization is the standard for bladder urine volume measurement but causes discomfort, especially in pediatric patients.
- Portable ultrasound has shown promise in adults, but data on its pediatric application is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy and tolerance of a portable ultrasound scanner for bladder urine volume measurement in children.
- To compare ultrasound measurements with the gold standard urethral catheterization.
Main Methods:
- A portable ultrasound scanner with automatic bladder urine volume calculation was utilized.
- Forty separate bladder urine volume determinations were performed using the scanner.
- Measurements were correlated with volumes obtained via urethral catheterization.
Main Results:
- A strong coefficient of correlation (0.759) was observed between ultrasound and catheterization measurements.
- The portable ultrasound scanner demonstrated reasonable accuracy in assessing bladder urine volume.
Conclusions:
- Portable ultrasound is a well-tolerated and useful alternative to urethral catheterization for pediatric bladder urine volume measurement.
- This technology can improve patient comfort and streamline urologic practice in children.
Abstract:
Although urethral catheterization is the "gold standard" for accurate bladder urine volume measurement in all patients, the discomfort associated with its use makes it less than ideal in pediatric urologic practice. Portable ultrasound scanners have been demonstrated to be an acceptable alternative in adults in several studies, but little data exists on their use in children. A portable ultrasound scanner that automatically calculates the bladder urine volume was used for 40 separate determinations and correlated with bladder urine volume measured by urethral catheterization (coefficient of correlation = 0.759). The scanner is reasonably accurate, well-tolerated and a useful alternative to urethral catheterization for measuring bladder urine volume.