Bladder ultrasound

(Redirected from Ultrasound: Bladder)

Background

Anatomy of the bladder (male)
Prostate anatomy
  • Bladder ultrasounds can be used independently for volume measurements or in conjunction with other exams such as FAST, renal studies, and pelvic ultrasounds
  • Bladder volume = length x width x height x 0.52[1]

Indications

Technique

  1. Select probe
    • Phased array or curvilinear probe
  2. Location
    • Suprapubic
  3. Landmarks
    • Identification: anechoic (black) fluid within a structure defined by hyperechoic (white) appearing borders
  4. Obtain sagittal and transverse images
  5. Use calc function to attain bladder volume
  6. Optimize image quality
    • May need to turn down far gain secondary to acoustic enhancement from bladder
    • May use power Doppler over the inferior border can demonstrate ureteral jets

Findings

  • Bladder volume/post-void residual
    • Use calc mode and measure in 3 dimensions (anterior posterior, right left, and superior inferior)
    • Normal PVR is <50mL, <100mL in patients >65.
  • Stones
Bladder bulge and twinkle sign[2]
    • Ureteral jets can indicate patent ureter
    • Bladder bulge may indicated a UVJ stone[3]
    • Twinkle Sign: Rapid alternation of color immediately behind a stationary echogenic object, acquiring a false appearance of movement in color Doppler mode
  • Free fluid
    • Anechoic (black) fluid outside the bladder is suggestive of free fluid
    • Look for 'pointy edges' which increases suspicion for fluid not in another structure (cyst, ovary, bowel, etc)

Images

Normal

Abnormal

Pearls and Pitfalls

  • Ureteral jets indicate patent ureter but the absence of it does not mean obstruction

Documentation

A bedside ultrasound was conducted to assess for bladder volume with clinical indications of urinary retention. The bladder was identified and viewed in the transverse and sagittal plane. The bladder volume was calculated to be ***ml.

See Renal ultrasound, FAST exam, and Transabdominal pelvic ultrasound for further documentation for in other indications

Clips

Normal Exam

Bladder sagittal.gif Bladder transverse.gif

External Links

See Also

References

  1. Dicuio M et al. Measurements of urinary bladder volume: comparison of five ultrasound calculation methods in volunteers. Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2005 Mar;77(1):60-2.
  2. http://www.thepocusatlas.com/renalgu-1/
  3. Bomann JS, Seman M, Sutijono D, et al. Bladder bulge: unifying old and new sonographic bladder wall abnormalities in ureterolithiasis. West J Emerg Med. 2012;13(6):517-523.