2019 Volume 44 Issue 1 Pages 243-247
Neurogenic bladder is frequently recognized as a common comorbidity in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID). The residual urine volume retained in the neurogenic bladder often amounts to the several hundred milliliters. Before the present study, we experienced a rare case of spontaneous rupture of the bladder due to the excessive urinary retention by the neurogenic bladder. To prevent this critical complication, an ultrasound scanning device (Bladder Scan BVI6100), which enables us to measure the urine volume of the bladder by a non-invasive manner, was newly introduced into our residential hospital. We use this device according to the pre-determined criteria. In the present study, we examined the usability of this device to the patients with neurogenic bladder, by regular measuring the urine volume and appropriate catheterization in the excessive urinary retention as needed. As the consequence of the use of this scanning device, the incidence of urinary tract infection including pyelonephritis was prominently decreased, resulting in the reduction of the antibiotic administration. We suggest that the measurement of the residual urine volume by scanning bladder ultrasound is useful for neurogenic bladder to prevent the serious complication such as the rupture of a bladder and systemic urinary tract infection.
