Evaluation of a 3‐dimensional ultrasound device for noninvasive measurement of urinary bladder volume in dogs

Abstract

Abstract Background The BladderScan Prime Plus (BPP; Verathon, Bothell, Washington) is an application‐specific, three‐dimensional ultrasound device used for human, point‐of‐care volumetry of the urinary bladder. Objective To estimate the BPP's accuracy, repeatability, and optimized settings for assessing urinary bladder volumes in dogs, a variable utilized in assessing micturition disorders. Animals Twenty‐four, client‐owned, healthy, male dogs presenting for routine examination. Methods Prospective examinations were conducted by an experienced ultrasonographer and a novice, selecting the BPP's “man” or “child” setting, and were compared to urine volume obtained by catheterization. Results Mean urine volume significantly varied by operator (P = .05), device setting (P 5.5 kg (n = 18/24), mean difference between BPP's “man” setting and catheterized measurements, regardless of operator, was not significant. Conclusions Although small magnitude interuser variability is present in BPP examinations, the device provides accurate, though imprecise quantification of bladder volume in canids weighing >5.5 kg.

Keywords

• distension
• dysuria
• micturition
• retention
• urinary
• volumetry