Possible use of ultrasonically-estimated bladder weight in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction

In 25 patients with detrusor areflexia, ultrasonically-estimated bladder weight (UEBW) was compared with bladder capacity and compliance obtained by cystometry, and UEBW was also compared with grade of bladder deformity as evaluated by cystography. UEBW correlated significantly with compliance (P < 0.01) and degree of bladder deformity (P < 0.01). Taking a cutoff value of 40 g, UEBW revealed diagnostic accuracy as high as 96% and 80% for low-compliance (< 10 ml/cm H2O) and high-grade deformity (grade II/III), respectively. UEBW could be a new urodynamic parameter capable of evaluating functional as well as morphological changes of the bladder.