Evaluation of the BladderScan(®) in estimating bladder volume in paediatric patients.

Objective: To 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 Methods: BV 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.

Results: BS 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.

Conclusions: Overall the BladderScan showed a high correlation with catheter volume and there was good clinical agreement between the measures.