Estimation of bladder volume using ultrasonographic determination of cross-sectional areas and linear measurements

The purpose of this study was to determine if ultrasonographic measurement of multiple cross-sectional areas combined with linear dimensions of the bladder could be used as a method of estimating bladder volume in the dog, and, if so, to compare the accuracy of this estimation with that described previously using linear measurements alone. Fifty-two live dogs undergoing investigation for urological disease and 37 fresh canine cadavers were used for bladder volume determination. Maximal length, depth, width, and area were measured from the maximal longitudinal and transverse sonograms in each living animal. In cadavers, the cross-sectional area of the longitudinal section of the bladder was measured at one centimeter intervals, and the measurements were summed. Based on sequential partial regression analysis, the cross-sectional area of the longitudinal section of the bladder and length were the best predictors of actual bladder volume in living animals. However, based on the cadaver experiment, the best predictor of actual bladder volume was summed parasagittal area alone, and, in cadavers, this was a much better predictor of actual bladder volume than the combination of the cross-sectional area of the longitudinal section of the bladder and length. The formula derived in living dogs using the cross-sectional area of the longitudinal section of the bladder and length gave a less accurate estimation of bladder volume than a previously published formula where only linear measurements were used.