Periodical measurement of bladder capacity by abdominal three-dimensional ultrasound

Abstract

Purpose: Establishment of a method for the periodical measurement of bladder capacity by means of abdominal three-dimensional ultrasound. Materials and Methods: Simple devices to fix the three-dimensional ultrasound scanner on the lower abdomen stably were newly developed. The reliability of the method was examined in 18 subjects, while the possibility to apply the method for periodical measurement was tested in 4 subjects. Conclusion: Measured capacities were 18% lower on average than the actual values. When this deviation was corrected, however, the error fell within 12% in every case, which indicated a sufficient accuracy for practical use in physiology. Periodical measurement for overnight sessions was achieved successfully.