Evaluation of the BladderScan® in estimating bladder volume in paediatric patients

ObjectiveTo evaluate the reliability of estimates of bladder volume (BV) in children with the BladderScan BVI 9400 (BS) compared with the volume obtained at catheterization (CV).Materials and methodsBV was measured using the BS in 50 children (age range 6 weeks–14 years) who required urinary catheter placement during surgery or urodynamic studies. BS measurements were taken prior to catheter insertion. BV was compared with CV.ResultsBS volumes ranged from 0 to 513 mL (mean = 79 mL, median = 34 mL) and CV from 0 to 500 mL (mean = 81 mL, median = 31 mL). There was high correlation between the BS and CV measures (rho = 0.96). The mean difference between BS and CV volumes was −2.1 mL (SD 21). Where the CV ≤ 100 mL the BS volumes ranged from 0 to 84 mL (mean = 74 mL, median = 30 mL) and the CV from 0 to 88 mL (mean = 76 mL, median = 25 mL) (rho = 0.89). The mean difference = 0.5 mL (95% limits of agreement ± 23 mL). In a small sample of 12 children <36 months, correlation between BS and CV volumes was not as strong with rho = 0.82.ConclusionsOverall the BladderScan showed a high correlation with catheter volume and there was good clinical agreement between the measures.