The utility of a bladder scan protocol using a portable ultrasonographic device in subacute stroke patients

To evaluate the clinical usefulness of a bladder scan protocol for measuring urinary retention with a Portable Ultrasonographic Device (PUD) in stroke patients.

This is case-control study. The study enrolled a total of 52 stroke patients with post-void residual urine (PVR) volume > 100 mL. The case group (n = 26) was managed using our bladder scan protocol until the PVR volume fell below 100 mL. A PVR volume > 400 mL resulted in intermittent urinary catheterization (IC). The control group (n = 26) was not managed using the bladder scan protocol. We compared outcomes for the two groups.

The case and control groups were similar in terms of the total scanning period (days). The number of scanning days after the PVR volume fell below < 100 mL was less for the case than the control group (2.3 versus 8.5 days; p < 0.001). Scanning was discontinued before the PVR volume fell below 100 mL in one case group and seven control group patients (p < 0.05). The mean IC volume was nearly 400 mL in the case group, without any bladder overdistensions and without any urinary tract infections.

Our bladder scan protocol for urinary retention after stroke may be useful as this allows catheterization of an adequate urine volume and reduces unnecessary bladder scanning.