Bladder ultrasound

Frequent urges to urinate, a feeling of incomplete emptying, or discomfort in the lower abdomen may be associated with impaired bladder function. To clarify the cause of complaints, the doctor may recommend an ultrasound examination.

You can undergo bladder ultrasound in Kyiv at the medical center «Oxford Medical». The examination is performed on modern expert-class equipment, which allows accurate and informative results to be obtained. To undergo the examination at a time convenient for you, make an appointment through the contact center: call or leave a request for a callback.

Ultrasound diagnostics of the bladder allows its shape, size, wall thickness, and degree of filling to be assessed. During the examination, the doctor can also determine the volume of residual urine after urination, which is important for assessing the function of the organ.

During the examination, it is possible to detect:

• thickening or unevenness of the bladder walls;
• the presence of sediment, clots, or calculi;
• space-occupying formations that require additional assessment;
• signs of an inflammatory process;
• impaired emptying of the bladder.

In some cases, examination of the organ is performed as part of ultrasound of the urinary system, when it is also necessary to assess the kidneys and ureters. This approach helps to take a comprehensive approach to diagnostics and more accurately determine the possible cause of complaints.

The doctors of «Oxford Medical» explain that the examination results are not a final diagnosis. The doctor evaluates the conclusion of the examination together with the patient’s complaints, examination data, and test results in order to determine further treatment or observation tactics.

The examination may also be prescribed if an inflammatory process is suspected, in particular cystitis, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of treatment or for observation over time.

Ultrasound examination is considered safe because it has no radiation exposure and does not require invasive intervention. There are usually no absolute contraindications to its performance, so both adult patients and children can undergo the examination if there are indications.

At the same time, in some cases the examination may be temporarily postponed. This is possible if:

• there is severe pain that complicates the performance of the examination;
• there is skin damage, rashes, or postoperative wounds in the abdominal area;
• the patient’s condition requires emergency care.

If a standard examination is difficult to perform or it is insufficiently informative, the doctor may recommend other methods of diagnosing the urinary system, taking into account the clinical situation.

For the examination to be informative, it is important to prepare correctly. The main condition — the bladder must be full, because it is in this state that its walls are well visualized.

Usually, it is recommended to:

• drink approximately 400–600 ml of still water 1–1.5 hours before the examination;
• not empty the bladder before the procedure;
• avoid drinks that may irritate the urinary system (coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks).

If the urges to urinate become too strong or there is urinary incontinence, it is worth informing the doctor about this — sometimes the examination is performed in two stages: before and after emptying the bladder. This allows the volume of residual urine and the function of the organ to be additionally assessed.

Preparation for bladder ultrasound in women and in men generally does not differ. However, in each case, the doctor may give individual recommendations depending on the symptoms and the purpose of the examination.

The examination is performed through the anterior abdominal wall. The patient lies down on the couch, frees the lower part of the abdomen from clothing, after which the doctor applies a special gel and moves the probe over the skin in the area of the bladder.

The examination is performed with a full bladder. In some cases, the doctor may ask the patient to empty it and repeat the examination. This makes it possible to assess whether it empties completely, as well as to determine the volume of residual urine, which is important, in particular, in case of complaints of urinary incontinence or difficult urination.

Ultrasound of the bladder in men and women is performed according to the same principle, but the assessment of the results takes anatomical features into account. The procedure usually lasts about 10–15 minutes. After completion, the patient receives a conclusion with a description of the results. The final diagnosis is established by the doctor who prescribed the examination, taking into account complaints, test results, and other data.

You can find out the cost of bladder ultrasound here. If you need to undergo an examination, you can make an appointment at a time convenient for you by the phone number indicated on the website, or by requesting a callback.

At the medical center «Oxford Medical», patients can receive a full range of medical services: from ultrasound diagnostics to a doctor’s consultation and further observation. This allows you to undergo an examination and receive the necessary care in one place without unnecessary time costs.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a doctor’s consultation.

Sources:

• NCBI Bookshelf
• American Urological Association
• European Association of Urology