The utility of a bladder scan protocol using a portable ultrasonographic device in subacute stroke patients

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of a bladder scan protocol for measuring urinary retention with a Portable Ultrasonographic Device (PUD) in stroke patients. METHOD: This is case-control study. The study enrolled a total of 52 stroke patients with post-void residual urine (PVR) volume > 100 mL. The case group (n = 26) was managed using our bladder scan protocol until the PVR volume fell below 100 mL. A PVR volume > 400 mL resulted in intermittent urinary catheterization (IC). The control group (n = 26) was not managed using the bladder scan protocol. We compared outcomes for the two groups. RESULTS: The case and control groups were similar in terms of the total scanning period (days). The number of scanning days after the PVR volume fell below < 100 mL was less for the case than the control group (2.3 versus 8.5 days; p < 0.001). Scanning was discontinued before the PVR volume fell below 100 mL in one case group and seven control group patients (p < 0.05). The mean IC volume was nearly 400 mL in the case group, without any bladder overdistensions and without any urinary tract infections. CONCLUSIONS: Our bladder scan protocol for urinary retention after stroke may be useful as this allows catheterization of an adequate urine volume and reduces unnecessary bladder scanning.