Ultrasound Estimated Bladder Weight and Measurement of Bladder Wall Thickness--useful Noninvasive Methods for Assessing the Lower Urinary Tract?

Purpose: In the last decade interest has arisen in the use of ultrasound derived measurements of bladder wall thickness, detrusor wall thickness and ultrasound estimated bladder weight as potential diagnostic tools for conditions known to induce detrusor hypertrophy. However, to date such measurements have not been adopted into clinical practice. We performed a comprehensive review of the literature to assess the potential clinical usefulness of these measurements.

Materials And Methods: A MEDLINE® search was conducted to identify all published literature up to June 2009, investigating measurements of bladder wall thickness, detrusor wall thickness and ultrasound estimated bladder weight.

Results: Measurements of bladder and detrusor wall thickness, and ultrasound estimated bladder weight have been studied in men, women and children. A convincing trend has been shown in the ability of these measurements to differentiate men with from those without bladder outlet obstruction. In addition, measurements of bladder wall thickness have revealed a considerable difference between detrusor overactivity and urodynamic stress incontinence. A number of confounding variables and a lack of standardized methodology has resulted in discrepancies among studies. Therefore, reproducible diagnostic ranges or cutoff values have not been established.

Conclusions: Ultrasound derived measurements of bladder and detrusor wall thickness, and ultrasound estimated bladder weight are potential noninvasive clinical tools for assessing the lower urinary tract.