The accuracy of a hand-held real time ultrasound scanner for estimating bladder volume

In a prospective study using a portable real time ultrasound scanner, 82 estimations of the bladder volume were made in male patients with neurogenic bladder and these were compared in each case with the measured volume of urine obtained by catheterisation performed immediately after estimation. A further 25 estimations/measurements were made in patients in whom the bladder volume was less than 150 ml. Both studies showed that the scanner offered a reproducible and safe alternative to catheterisation for estimating bladder volumes. The accuracy is sufficient for most clinical purposes.