Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing
Published on: August 14, 2019
Ultrasound assessment of bladder volume: is it valid after delivery?
Lucinda M Pallis1, Melissa Wilson
1University of Queensland, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gold Coast Hospital, Southport, Queensland, Australia. Lucinda_Pallis@health.qld.gov.au
Aim:
To assess the validity of a commercially available bladder volume scanner in the puerperium.
Methods:
A prospective blinded comparison of bladder volume measurement after vaginal delivery using the BladderScan bladder volume instrument (BVI) 3000 and Foley catheter; comparison using the intraclass correlation coefficient.
Results:
The mean difference between the two measurements was a 130-mL over-measurement by the bladder scanner (range: -156 mL to +422 mL). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.23 (95% confidence interval 0.00, 0.59).
Conclusions:
The BladderScan BVI 3000 is not an accurate instrument to assess bladder volume the day after vaginal delivery. Some of the discrepancy might relate to use of the Foley catheter as the reference standard. Further comparison between the BladderScan and a short female catheter or real time ultrasound is indicated.
Related Concept Videos
Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry
Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System III: Percussion and Auscultation
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography
Ultrasound I: Abdominal Ultrasonography
Abdominal ultrasonography, commonly known as abdominal ultrasound, is a vital, non-invasive medical imaging technique widely used in healthcare.
Procedure:
This diagnostic tool allows the clinician to visually inspect internal structures within the abdomen, including vital organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen.
The abdominal ultrasound process begins with applying a special gel to the patient's skin over the abdomen. This gel enhances the...
Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System II: Inspection and Palpation

