Abstract: Evaluation of a Non-Invasive Method to Determine Bladder Volume in Children

D.E. Padmore, MB, FRCSC, P.A.M. Anderson, MD, FRCSC, D.S. Tooth, MD, FRCSC, M.A. Waye, RN. "Evaluation of a non-invasive method to determine bladder volume in children." The Canadian Journal of Urology 4 (March 1997) 1: 305-08.

Objectives:
* To assess the accuracy of the BladderScan^® BVI 2500 in measuring bladder volume in children, compared to the "gold standard" of urethral catheterization. According to Padmore, Anderson, Tooth, and Waye, "Adult data [concerning the accuracy of the BVI] may not be entirely relevant, given the different anatomy (the bladder is an abdominal organ in young children) and the potential for less cooperation in conducting the examination."

Methods:
* The BladderScan^® BVI 2500 was used for 40 separate determinations of bladder volume and correlated with bladder urine volume measured by urethral catheterization. The subjects who participated in this study were children between 1 and 16 years of age who were to undergo urethral catheterizations for a number of different clinical indications (including urodynamic studies, cystograms, hypospadias surgery, etc.). Participants included 16 males and 21 females.

Results:
* Sex of the subject did not affect BladderScan^® estimates of bladder volume.
* The coefficient of correlation between scanned volumes and those obtained by catheterization was 0.76 for the entire group of determinations.
* The mean difference between scanned volume and catheterized volume was 30.78.
* For volumes of less than 300 ml, the coefficient of correlation was 0.93.

Conclusions:
* The estimation of bladder volume is often necessary in order to manage voiding dysfunction in children, and while catheterization is an accurate way of measuring the volume of urine in the bladder, it is an invasive procedure associated with the risk of infection, physical and psychological trauma, and latex allergy.
* "Our results suggest that using currently available scanners, the ultrasound measurement of bladder volume was reasonably accurate and the coefficient of correlation with catheterized volume was similar to those seen in studies on adults."
* "We found the BladderScan^® BVI 2500 to be convenient and easy to use in children. It is better tolerated than urethral catheterization and gives a clinically acceptable measurement of bladder urine volume. We conclude that it is a useful tool for measuring bladder volume in children."

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