To date, the best way to study the internal organs is ultrasound. It is prescribed by a doctor for suspected diseases of these organs, as well as for a preventive examination. The procedure is absolutely painless and does not cause any discomfort to the person. Therefore, if you have been given a referral, then do not be afraid and feel free to go for an ultrasound of the kidneys.

Preparation for the procedure is an important stage, without which manipulation can give a distorted result. Today we will find out what a person should do before performing an ultrasound scan, so that the doctor sees on the monitor the truthful information about the state of these organs. How to properly prepare for such a study, read below.

What is the procedure?

This is an analysis carried out by means of a special apparatus that uses sound waves to create images of the organs being checked. Another name for this procedure is echography. During the manipulation, sound waves capture the image of the organs and show it on the monitor. The specialist does this procedure to make an accurate diagnosis.

When is echography necessary?

Ultrasound is an excellent alternative to palpation and catheter insertion. Sonography provides more accurate information about the state of these organs. Indications for the appointment of ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder are:

Suspicion of kidney or bladder stones.

Tumors.

Cysts in the bladder.

Kidney injury.

It is in these cases that the doctor can give direction to echography. What is important to know for a person who is about to undergo a study? Proper preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder is necessary in order for the results of echography to be clear and reliable. Therefore, below we will learn how to prepare for such a diagnosis.

Meals before the procedure

Preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys and urinary should begin with the correct diet, which should be followed 3 days before the study. At this time, it is necessary to use only those products that do not allow an increase in gas formation. This is perhaps the main preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys. What can you eat? What specific products are recommended to be consumed before the procedure?

The ideal daily diet 3 days before the ultrasound should consist of such tasty products:

Kasha cooked in water. It can be buckwheat, oatmeal, pearl barley.

Boiled meat, preferably chicken or veal.

Steamed cutlets made from lean minced meat.

Boiled sea fish.

Unsalted and low-fat hard cheese.

Hard-boiled egg.

Dried or yesterday's white bread.

For people who have no problems with digestion, it is enough to follow such a diet for 3 days before performing an ultrasound of the kidneys. Preparation for the study for patients who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract should be carried out 7 days before the procedure. There are also people who are prone to flatulence. In this case, they need to take sorbents 3 days before the ultrasound.

What foods should be excluded?

2-3 days before the procedure, you need to refuse:

From whole milk;

legumes;

Potatoes, cabbage, any raw vegetables;

rye bread;

Fresh fruits, and especially from apples;

Sweet products;

carbonated drinks;

Fatty, fried meat, as well as fish;

Saturated meat broths;

Smoked products.

Bowel cleansing before ultrasound

Preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder also involves the maximum emptying of the intestine. In this case, it is recommended to give an enema, but you can do without it. It is allowed to use a glycerin suppository, laxatives "Picolax" or "Guttalax".

2 days before the manipulation, it is necessary to use sorbents between meals, such as activated charcoal, Smekta, Sorbeks preparations. If for some reason this did not work out, then you need to take 6 tablets of Espumizan 3 hours before the manipulation.

Additional tests before ultrasound

Preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder should begin a few days before the procedure. Moreover, in addition, the doctor can write out a referral to the patient for blood and urine donation. It is the results of these tests that will then help to more thoroughly identify the presence of diseases in the kidneys or bladder. For ultrasound, a person should already come with the results of the studies. And the doctor, after an ultrasound scan, together with blood and urine tests, will be able to accurately describe the problem.

Preparing for a procedure scheduled for the first or second half of the day

If a person was given a referral for the morning, then it is most convenient to come to the hospital on an empty stomach. In this case, the last meal should be before 18.00. Meals should be light, easily digestible. This rule is mandatory for both men and women. Therefore, it is important to adhere to these recommendations so that the ultrasound is successful and the doctor can identify the problem. It is necessary to come to the procedure only after a person drinks about 1 liter of water.

Preparation for an ultrasound of the kidneys in women and men in the afternoon involves an early breakfast. One hour after breakfast, you need to take an activated or any other sorbent. And do not forget that before you come to the procedure (1 hour before it), you need to drink about 1 liter of liquid.

Differences between performing urinary ultrasound in women and men

Usually, the study of this organ is done through the anterior abdominal wall. But in some cases, manipulation through the rectum or vagina may be required. The first method is an ultrasound of the bladder in men. Preparation for the study is already known to everyone: come on an empty stomach, solve problems with the stool, if necessary, take special medications, drink about 1 liter of water, defecate. Also, men should stop smoking at least 3 hours before the ultrasound. Conducting a study of the bladder through the rectum is necessary if the specialist will also check the prostate.

An ultrasound scan through the vagina is indicated when women have obesity, adhesions, tumor formation, and some other problems.

Why is it important to drink plenty of water for ultrasound?

Preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder necessarily involves taking 1 liter of water the day before. What is it for? It turns out that if the bladder is filled poorly, then it will be difficult for the doctor to see what problems the patient has with the organs under study. In this case, there is a high risk of errors. It even happens that the doctor can see a tumor that is not really there. It turns out that with poor filling of the bladder, its folds do not completely straighten out, and it is they that can show a false tumor, misleading the doctor. But when a person drinks 1 liter of water, the necessary organs will be clearly visible to the specialist. Therefore, the preparation of the patient is to fill the bladder before the procedure.

Preparing for the Study of Pregnant Girls

Ask why pregnant women need to do an ultrasound of the kidneys? The fact is that pregnant girls experience a threefold load on this organ. Often, expectant mothers develop late toxicosis. And it is precisely because of this that the kidneys primarily suffer, which in the future can lead to preeclampsia. To understand whether these organs were affected during this period or not, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound examination. This is the only safe method for diagnosing pregnant girls.

Preparation for ultrasound of the bladder in women in position is special. If an ordinary person can make a cleansing enema the day before, take laxatives and adsorbents, then during pregnancy all this is contraindicated. The fact is that such measures to cleanse the body can harm the development of the fetus. Preparing for an ultrasound examination of pregnant girls is to follow a diet that will prevent gas formation. Also, the doctor can prescribe special drugs that are approved for this category of people to eliminate flatulence or constipation, if these symptoms occur.

4-5 hours before the examination of the internal organs, it is advisable to refrain from eating. And 1 hour before the start of the procedure, you need to urinate, and then drink about 0.7-1 l of clean water.

What to take with you to the study?

A person should know what he needs to bring to an event such as an ultrasound of the kidneys. Preparation for the procedure includes not only diet, bowel movements, drinking plenty of water. It is also important to know what you need to bring with you to the study. So, below is a list of things that a person who comes for an ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder should have:

Results of previous analyses.

Passport, medical card.

Direction for research.

Sheet or towel.

Paper towels to wipe the body after the procedure.

Water so that you can drink it to fill your bladder.

Now you know what a kidney ultrasound is. Preparation for the study, the differences in the conduct of echography in men and women, the features of the procedure in relation to pregnant women - all this is also known to you. We determined what a person should do before this manipulation, namely: adhere to a diet, drink 1 liter of water, empty the intestines, collect all the necessary things.

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What is an ultrasound of the bladder?

Ultrasound of the bladder is a diagnostic procedure that is based on the analysis of the passage of sound waves of very high frequency through the body, on the basis of which a computer can create an image of the organ being examined.

The bladder is a smooth muscle organ. It collects urine produced by the kidneys and, by contracting, provides urination.

What does it show and what diseases does it help to diagnose?

The most common reason for a test is to evaluate the presence of residual urine in the bladder, which remains after urination. The presence of residual urine may indicate the following problems:

• Adenoma or benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Urethral stricture
• Bladder dysfunction
• Side effects of taking anticholinergic drugs.
• Monitoring of patients with multiple sclerosis.

The study may also provide information on:

• condition of the bladder wall
• Diverticula
• The size of the prostate in men
• The presence of stones and suspension
• Tumors

Ultrasound of the bladder is an examination based on the properties of an ultrasonic wave reflected from an organ, forming its image on the monitor of the device. This diagnostic is used for people of all ages - newborns, pregnant women, and the elderly. It has a wide range of indications, has no contraindications, requires preparation.

• urine color change
• discomfort or pain in urination
• frequent urge to urinate, even if it is painless
• small portions of urine
• pain in the suprapubic region
• air in urine
• sediment in the urine or flakes visible "by eye"
• the presence of blood in the urine.

What this ultrasound shows:

1. Bladder tumors.
2. Stones or sand.
3. Acute or chronic inflammation of the mucosa.
4. Diverticula of the walls of the bladder.
5. Foreign bodies in the bladder.
6. Anomalies in the development of the bladder or ureters.
7. Throwing (reflux) of urine from the bladder into the ureters.
8. Blockage by a stone in the exit of urine.

Doppler ultrasound helps to assess the passage of urine through the ureters: in which direction is its flow directed, what form of this flow is, how symmetrical the process is on both sides.

Based on this analysis, it is concluded how much the ureter is blocked (by a stone, edema, tumor). This study is also indispensable for the diagnosis of Vesicoureteral Reflux, when urine in some amount is thrown against its current - from the bladder into the ureter.

Dopplerography also allows you to make a conclusion about the number of ureters and where they open.

It is this study that will more accurately help to detect tumor formations based on the assessment of blood flow, since the vessels of the tumor look and behave somewhat differently.

What you need to know to conduct research

Ultrasound performed on a full bladder. Therefore, preparation for the study is to fill it. This can be done in two ways:

1. An hour or a little more before the procedure, you need to drink about a liter of water without gas, tea or compote (but not milk), then do not urinate. If it is impossible to endure the urge to urinate, it is allowed to empty the bladder, then drink 2-3 glasses of water again.
2. You can not drink water, but just wait until this hollow organ fills itself. To do this, do not urinate for three to four hours. And if the procedure is scheduled for the morning, you can prepare for an ultrasound if you do not urinate in the morning. If this is too hard, set yourself an alarm clock for 3 in the morning, go to the toilet, but after the final awakening, this is no longer necessary.

In addition, a gas-filled intestine can prevent a correct diagnosis of the bladder. So, if you suffer from flatulence or constipation, try a day or two before the appointed time to follow a diet with the exception of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, carbonated drinks and alcohol.

The filled bladder is a kind of “window” that allows ultrasound to “see” such organs:

• non-pregnant uterus or when examining it in the first trimester (at a later date, it is not necessary to fill the bladder for the study)
• ovaries: their location, size, presence of cystic changes
• in men, the prostate gland.

Read also:

Features of ultrasound of the pelvic organs in women

How is the procedure carried out

How is an ultrasound done? Diagnostics can be carried out using the following methods:

1. Through the wall of the abdomen (external examination).
2. Through the vagina, rectum, or urethra (internal examination).

If an ultrasound is done through the abdomen, then the procedure looks like this.

• The patient undresses to the waist or lifts the clothes so that the stomach is free from it.
• So he lies down on the couch facing the sonologist, who applies a special gel to the stomach (it is cold, so there may be discomfort that quickly passes).
• Moving along the gel, the sensor scans the image of the bladder and nearby organs, sends their images to the screen.

The examination is painless and lasts about 20 minutes. If the doctor suspects a pathology of the organ, he may ask to empty the bladder, after which he will take repeated measurements - an ultrasound with the determination of residual urine.

Under such conditions:

• when it is necessary to confirm a serious pathology,
• or if external examination is difficult due to obesity, adhesions, tumor processes or free fluid in the abdominal cavity,

the sonologist can immediately conduct an internal study, which differs for men and women.

Watch the video on how to prepare for the procedure.
How is the study of the bladder in women. Most often - the external way. But sometimes you have to resort to transvaginal research. In this case, a special sensor is used, which is inserted into the vagina in a special disposable condom. At the same time, you also need to fill your bladder. Ultrasound of the genitourinary system in men most often it is also carried out through the wall of the abdomen. But if obesity is pronounced, there is ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity due to cirrhosis of the liver), and also if there is a tumor that comes from the prostate, an internal study is necessary.

In this situation, ultrasound is done in men in this way: a special thin ultrasound transducer is inserted into the rectum, which helps to obtain an image of the bladder and other structures. In this position, it turns out that between the sensor and the filled bladder is only the wall of the rectum.

The study causes little discomfort. In addition, before the procedure, it is imperative to ensure that the rectum is emptied. This is achieved with the help of microclysters, glycerin suppositories or herbal laxatives (Senade, Picolax).

In some cases, both men and women need an intracavitary ultrasound, when a thin probe is inserted through the urethra into the bladder.

How to understand the results of the study

The interpretation of the ultrasound of the bladder should be carried out by the attending urologist on the basis of not only a comparison of the numbers obtained as a result of your study with the norms. The symptoms that caused the person to seek medical help are also evaluated.

The norm of the bladder according to ultrasound

This is an organ with an echo-negative structure. It has a rounded shape on transverse scans, ovoid on longitudinal images. The organ is symmetrical, its contours are even and clear. There should be nothing inside the bubble. The wall thickness of the organ throughout should be about 0.3-0.5 cm. The maximum urine flow rate is about 14.5 cm / s.

Read also:

How normal M-echo affects the fertility of your children

In order to assess the neck of the bladder in more detail, to look at the urethra, to more accurately monitor the flow of urine, an intravesical ultrasound can be performed.

To identify obstructions in the flow of urine, ultrasound is used to determine the residual urine. To do this, after conducting a study on a full bladder, the patient is asked to urinate.

After that, the procedure is again carried out, assessing how much urine remains inside the organ. Normal should be 50 ml or less. A larger number indicates an inflammatory process or compression by a tumor or stone exiting the bladder.

Ultrasound signs of organ inflammation

Ultrasound for cystitis

Acute cystitis in its early stage has such an echo picture: small echogenic particles are determined in it in various quantities. This is an accumulation of various cells (epithelium, leukocytes, erythrocytes) or salt crystals. This is described by the words "bladder sediment". On ultrasound in the supine position, it will be localized near the back wall of the bladder, but if a person is asked to stand up, then closer to the front wall.

Until the disease has reached an advanced stage, wall thickening will not be noticeable, its contour will be even. With the progression of the pathology, the wall becomes thicker, its contour is uneven.

Chronic cystitis looks like a thickening of the organ wall, while sediment will also be determined in the lumen (they also write - “flakes in the bladder”). If blood clots form during inflammation, they will initially look like hyper- or hypoechoic formations, which can even be glued to the mucous membrane. When, after three days, the clot begins to liquefy, this is defined as a formation in which anechoic areas with uneven contours have appeared.

Other pathology on ultrasound

1. Thickening of the entire wall of this organ and its trabecularity in children may mean obstruction of the urethra by its valve.

2. A rather thick bladder wall in combination with ureterohydronephrosis may indicate a neurogenic bladder.

3. Echogenic formations in the bladder associated with its wall can be:

• soldered to the mucous stones
• polyps
• ureterocele
• prostate hypertrophy.

4. Echogenic formations that have mobility in the bladder:

• stones
• foreign body
• air: it enters the bladder or from the fistula, or during inflammation, or when placing a urinary catheter
• blood clot.

5. An increase in the size of an organ may be due to:

• prostate hyperplasia
• stones or swelling in the urethra in men
• neurogenic bladder
• urethral injury in women
• valves or diaphragm of the urethra in newborns.

The price of this ultrasound is from 300 to 1200 rubles on average in our country.

Thus, ultrasound of the bladder is a very useful study that allows you to identify a wide range of pathologies of this organ and nearby structures. It requires preparation, but is generally simple, painless, and safe.

Ultrasound examination of the bladder is a painless, non-invasive method of hardware diagnostics that allows you to quickly obtain information about the presence or absence of pathology. The method is used in case of suspected diseases of the genitourinary system in women and men, while it is possible to simultaneously obtain data on the state of other organs of the genitourinary system.

human urinary system

Indications for appointment

Bladder ultrasound in men and women is performed in the presence of the following symptoms and diseases:

• frequent urge to urinate;
• chronic inflammation of the bladder;
• acute infection;
• feeling of incomplete emptying;
• unusual color of urine (for example, the presence of traces of blood);
• pain and cramps in the suprapubic area;
• visually determined sediment in the urine;
• pain when urinating;
• existing neoplasm in the pelvic area;
• with kidney pathology.

Most often, the patient is referred for an ultrasound after complaining of problems with urination or atypical staining of urine. The method allows you to comprehensively examine all the organs that are involved in removing fluid from the body, without taking a lot of time, and without violating the integrity of the skin.

Preparing for an ultrasound

How to properly prepare for the diagnosis? In order for the survey to be informative and the data not to be distorted, some preparation is required. When conducting an ultrasound of the bladder, such a feature of the organ as its ability to significantly decrease in size in an emptied state plays an important role. However, a hollow organ must be filled with fluid at the time of diagnosis - this is the only way to obtain reliable information about its size and condition.

Preparation for the study is not difficult. Preparatory measures boil down to the fact that 2 hours before the appointed time, you need to drink up to 1.5 liters of water.

An ultrasound of the bladder for a child is also performed when the organ is full. To do this, you need to drink liquid at the rate of 5-10 ml per 1 kg of weight. If the child refuses to drink water, it can be replaced with any other liquid that does not increase gas formation in the intestines, such as tea (do not use carbonated drinks and milk). For ultrasound of the pelvic organs in newborns, such events are not required.

Bladder Anatomy

If the patient is prone to flatulence and bloating, then 2-3 days before the diagnosis, it is necessary to remove foods such as legumes, cabbage, citrus fruits, milk, onions, nuts, pastries from the diet.

Is it possible to eat on the day before the diagnostic session? You can eat before an ultrasound, but light food in small quantities.

How to fill the bladder quickly? If an ultrasound scan is urgently required and there is no time for preparation, then to ensure a reliable result, you need to drink at least 1 liter of liquid and take a diuretic. Such measures will help to fill the bladder quickly and thereby ensure the reliability of the result. However, you can follow the recommendations only after coordinating your actions with your doctor.

Carrying out the procedure

Despite the frequent use of this research method in medical practice, patients faced with such an appointment want to know in advance how an ultrasound is done and what to expect at the time of its implementation. First of all, the patient is required to comply with simple preparatory measures, in particular, it is necessary to make sure that the organ is full. The doctor of ultrasound diagnostics conducts a study in the transabdominal way. During the session, the patient lies on the couch in the supine position (sometimes additional measurements are required in the lateral position).

A special gel is applied to the transducer and the area to be examined, which improves the conduction of ultrasonic waves and at the same time provides transducer glide. The product is hypoallergenic, colorless and odorless, easily washed off the surface without leaving any residue.

The doctor conducts an examination and certain measurements according to the protocol, then asks the subject to go to the toilet and re-performs the manipulation, examining the already emptied organ.

The total procedure time is 10-20 minutes. Often, the patient is prescribed a comprehensive examination, including an assessment of the condition of the ureters and kidneys.

Transabdominal examination access

Much less often and in the presence of a complex urological pathology, ultrasound of the bladder for a child or an adult is performed by transrectal access. The need for such a diagnosis, as a rule, is decided by a highly specialized specialist observing the patient. If the doctor prescribes a transrectal diagnosis, then in addition to the tips described, a cleansing enema is also required on the day of the ultrasound examination.

Examination of women is also carried out on a full bladder and, if indicated, can be performed transvaginally. Transvaginal access is applicable in case of existing concomitant pathology of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes, which must be examined as part of a comprehensive examination of the genitourinary system.

A fairly new transurethral or intravesical diagnostic method used in andrology is carried out by penetrating into a hollow organ through the urethra with a special thin sensor. This method allows you to get accurate data, if necessary:

• find a connection or distinguish pathological processes in the bladder or urethra (often before or after prostate surgery);
• determine the degree of involvement in the pathological process of the walls of the channel and the neck of the bladder;
• identify the presence of damage to neighboring organs.

There is a technique that combines ultrasound of the bladder with dopplerography. It is used, if necessary, to assess the parameters of blood flow and the condition of the walls of blood vessels supplying the organs of the small pelvis. Doppler ultrasound is prescribed for differential diagnosis for the presence of a neoplasm (tumor), as well as for the development of vesicoureteral reflux (a pathology in which urine is thrown from the bladder back into the ureters).

Research results

Deciphering the ultrasound of the bladder according to the results of the examination sometimes requires the additional involvement of a narrow specialist in order to compare the ultrasound picture and the history of the disease.

What does the diagnostic show? Ultrasound examination of a hollow organ allows you to evaluate and measure the following indicators:

• volume and shape;
• filling speed;
• amount of residual urine;
• wall thickness;
• structure.

The bladder on ultrasound is defined as an anechoic cavity protruding from the pelvic cavity in a filled state. With normal indicators, the boundaries of the organ will be even, with symmetrical transverse sections. The wall thickness varies depending on the level of filling (about 4 mm), but must be uniform and the same in all zones.

After urination, the organ is examined again for the presence of residual urine - normally, its amount should not exceed 50 ml, so if it is present, the doctor fixes its volume. After this, the examination protocol provides for examination of the ureters and kidneys.

What pathologies can be identified?

Ultrasound of the bladder allows you to identify indirect or direct signs of the disease:

• increased trabecularity;
• change in wall thickness;
• wall asymmetry;
• internal cysts;
• neoplasms in the cavity of the organ or at its base.

Variants of localization of tumors

Consider the common diagnoses detected on ultrasound of the bladder.

Thickening of the walls of the organ over the entire area in men most often occurs due to blockage at the level of the prostate. With such changes, an examination of the kidneys and urinary tract is required, the exclusion of hydronephrosis. In the case of increased density of the walls of the organ, it is also necessary to make sure that there are no diverticula (protruding formations). They can be visualized if the size of the diverticulum exceeds 1 cm in diameter. Such formations are echogenic and conduct ultrasound.

A strongly compacted trabecular wall is fixed with such changes as:

• Neurogenic bladder (in combination with urethrohydronephrosis).
• External obstruction by the posterior valve of the urethra (or urogenital diaphragm in pediatrics).

Local thickening of the walls can be interpreted in different ways and lead the doctor to think about such conditions and diseases as:

Your doctor will help you interpret the results correctly.

Identified seals or neoplasms in the bladder area may have a different origin and therefore require a qualified differential diagnosis with such diseases as:

• polyp on a leg;
• urethrocele (cystic formation);
• stones soldered to the surface of the mucous membrane;
• an increase in the uterus in women;
• prostate enlargement in men.

Also, on ultrasound, it is possible to detect not emanating from the organ, but moving echogenic objects. These include:

• blood clots (thrombi);
• foreign bodies;
• stones;
• air.

An overly distended and enlarged bladder indicates problems associated with:

• prostate enlargement; stones or the presence of strictures of the urethra in men;
• trauma of the urethra in women;

If a small bubble is visualized, this may indicate a pathology such as:

• cystitis;
• injury;
• degeneration of muscle tissue into fibrous or oncopathology.

In the case of a detected pathology, the conclusion form, as a rule, is accompanied by a picture in which deviations from the norm are clearly visible (if the device has such a function).

Examination through the rectum in men

Features of the technique in different groups of patients

The widespread use of ultrasound examination is explained not only by its accessibility and information content, but also by the absence of contraindications for conducting - the method is applicable to everyone, regardless of age and gender.

For female patients

How is an ultrasound of the bladder done in women? There are two methods in the doctor's arsenal - transvaginal and transabdominal. Both methods allow you to simultaneously diagnose not only the bladder, but also the kidneys, ureters and organs of the reproductive system. Lactation and pregnancy do not interfere with the procedure.

When examining the pelvic organs in pregnant women, it is important to consult a specialist - in some cases it is not recommended to examine a woman transvaginally. Contraindications for the use of this type of ultrasound include late pregnancy (there is a chance to provoke contractions) and the threat of abortion.

Male patients

Ultrasound of the genitourinary system in men is carried out by the transabdominal or transrectal method. They allow you to simultaneously assess the anatomy and condition of the prostate gland, thereby identifying foci of altered tissue, seals and neoplasms.

Application in pediatrics

An ultrasound of the bladder for a child can be done at any age - there are no contraindications to the study, it can be used from birth. In preparation for the diagnosis, it is necessary to take measures to fill the bubble only in older children. For infants who do not control the process of urination on their own, such measures do not apply.

Examination of the child

The examination will help to identify the inflammatory process and anomalies in the development of the organs of the genitourinary system.

Ultrasound of the bladder in children is performed transabdominally - this method is absolutely painless and does not bring discomfort.

To determine what type of ultrasound of the genitourinary system is necessary in a particular case, only a specialist who has studied the medical history well and has all the information about the patient's health status can.

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs is one of the first diagnostic appointments that a person receives when complaining of pain during urination, or when the color of urine changes. The examination allows you to find out all the physical indicators of the bladder, identify abnormal changes in it, as well as obtain information about other organs of the small pelvis - the ureters, kidneys, prostate (in men), ovaries and uterus (in women).

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How is an ultrasound of the bladder done in women

How and why is an ultrasound of the bladder performed?

Ultrasound is a modern method for diagnosing a huge number of diseases of various organs. It is believed that it is absolutely safe, so this procedure is indicated for people of any age, including newborns, and gender.

Very often, ultrasound is performed to assess the condition of the organs of the urinary system. But in order for the study to give the most accurate information, a kind of preparation for an ultrasound of the bladder is required.

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Indications and features of the conduct

Patients may be referred for an ultrasound of the bladder if they have:

• changes in the color of urine;
• frequent urge to urinate;
• pain when urinating;
• pain in the suprapubic region;
• noticeable to the naked eye sediment in the urine;
• blood in the urine, etc.

In addition to diagnosing various diseases, this procedure is carried out to assess the effectiveness of treatment by the presence or absence of positive dynamics. Most often, this is necessary during the course of chemotherapy or after surgical interventions.

Features of preparation

The procedure is performed on a full bladder, so the main preparation for an ultrasound of the bladder is to fill it. This can be achieved by drinking approximately 1 liter of non-carbonated water an hour before the procedure. In cases where the study is scheduled for the morning hours, you can go to the clinic immediately after waking up, without going to the toilet. If it is impossible to resist morning urination, it is recommended to set an alarm clock 2-3 hours earlier than the scheduled wake-up time, visit the restroom and go back to sleep. At the same time, after the final rise, the intensity of the urge will not be too great, which will allow you to get to the medical institution with a full bladder, ready for examination.

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Important: water can be replaced with tea, compote or other non-carbonated drink, but not with milk or sour-milk products. If the patient is diagnosed with kidney pathology, he may be shown taking diuretic drugs.

In addition to filling the bladder, patients need to take care of the condition of the intestines before the study, since its overcrowding with gases can interfere with the procedure. Therefore, within a couple of days before the appointed date, it is recommended to take activated charcoal or its analogue, as well as follow a diet that helps reduce gas formation. That is, these days you should not use:

• fresh vegetables and fruits;
• legumes;
• carbonated drinks;
• muffin;
• dairy and dairy products;
• alcohol.

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If, even before the study, it is known that it will be carried out through the rectum, then, among other things, a few hours before the procedure, it is necessary to make a cleansing enema or put a glycerin suppository.

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How is the procedure carried out

How an ultrasound of the bladder is done depends on its condition, degree of fullness, the presence of concomitant pathologies and some other factors. In general, the study is usually carried out by the transabdominal (through the abdomen) method. With this approach, the patient is placed on the couch on his back. He is asked to remove clothes from the lower abdomen, on which the doctor applies a special gel. After that, the doctor applies the sensor to the site of application of the gel and, with slight pressure, runs it over the surface of the abdomen in different directions, examining the bladder and nearby organs.

Important: in certain cases, to clarify the situation, the specialist may ask the patient to visit the toilet and return to the ultrasound room to assess the condition of the bladder after emptying it. This is usually required for the diagnosis of prostate pathologies.

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As a rule, the procedure lasts no more than 20 minutes, after which the patient immediately receives a form with the results of the examination and is sent to his doctor. But in some cases, it may be necessary to conduct an examination through:

• The rectum. This type of study is indicated when ultrasound of the prostate and bladder is necessary, but it can also be used if the patient has fluid in the abdominal cavity, obesity, or other factors that make it difficult to view through the abdominal wall. In addition, an indication for transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is the need to examine girls who have not lost their hymen, whose transabdominal examination is difficult.
• Vagina. Ultrasound of the bladder in women is performed by the transvaginal method in the presence of obesity, adhesions, tumor formation, etc.

In such cases, a condom is put on a special sensor, a small amount of conductive gel is applied, and it is not deeply injected into natural openings.

Sometimes patients are prescribed ultrasound with dopplerography. It is carried out if it is necessary to assess the parameters of urine flow through the ureters and the state of blood flow in the organs under study. This is required if there is suspicion of vesicoureteral reflux, in which urine, for one reason or another, is thrown from the bladder back into the ureters. Dopplerography is also indispensable in the diagnosis of tumor formations.

Another type of this diagnostic method is intravesical or transurethral ultrasound. For its implementation, a special, thinnest sensor is used, which is introduced into the patient's body through the urethra. It is assigned as needed:

• determine the degree of damage to the walls of the urethra and bladder neck;
• differentiate or find the relationship between diseases of the bladder and urethra;
• assess the degree of damage to neighboring organs.

Deciphering the results

During the study, the specialist evaluates such parameters of the bladder as:

• structure;
• the form;
• clarity of contours;
• Wall thickness;
• volume;
• filling speed;
• amount of residual urine (if necessary).

Normally, the bladder is a symmetrical, completely echo-negative organ, that is, it looks like a black spot without inclusions on the device screen. In different projections, it can be round or ovoid. Its edges are clear and even, and the wall thickness is 0.3-0.5 cm. If the amount of residual urine is estimated, then normally its volume should not exceed 50 ml.

At the end of the examination, the ultrasound doctor gives the patient a completed form with the diagnostic results, which indicates the conclusion of this specialist, but the attending doctor performs the decoding of the ultrasound of the bladder. He also makes the final diagnosis, since for this it is necessary not only to compare the obtained indicators with normal ones, but also to take into account the whole complex of symptoms that are present in the patient.

Thus, with the help of ultrasound it is possible to diagnose:

• tumors of the bladder and nearby organs;
• the presence of stones or sand;
• wall diverticula;
• acute and chronic inflammation of the mucosa;
• the presence of foreign bodies;
• anomalies of development and structure;
• backflow of urine into the ureters;
• blockage of the urethra with a stone, etc.

The procedure is completely safe even for pregnant women and newborns.

Quite often, patients are prescribed an ultrasound of the bladder for cystitis to assess the degree of damage to the organ. In the case of the development of acute cystitis, a sediment is found in the cavity of the bladder, that is, small echogenic particles, the number of which may be different. Thus, ultrasound reflects accumulations of various cells, for example, leukocytes, erythrocytes, epithelium, as well as salt crystals. In this case, the location of such a deposit will change depending on the position of the patient's body. But in acute cystitis, the walls of the bladder usually retain normal thickness and clarity of contour. The thickening of its walls and the appearance of irregularities is a sign of a running chronic process.

But perhaps it is more correct to treat not the consequence, but the cause?

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Ultrasound of the bladder

Often, according to the doctor's testimony, an ultrasound of the bladder is done in women and men, thanks to which many diseases are diagnosed. It is done at any age and condition (newborns or senile people, pregnant women or after surgery). It is important to properly prepare before the procedure, then you can get an accurate result. And the correctness of the diagnosis and treatment depends on this. Do an ultrasound of the urinary (MP) to check the result of the operation on the organs of the genitourinary system. This is often how complications can be identified.

An ultrasound examination of the bladder provides a good basis for analyzing the state of health or the course of diseases in this organ.

Indications for carrying out

All indications are associated with problems in the genitourinary system (MPS).

This study is very informative. It is carried out in order to determine diseases of the kidneys, genitourinary system. Indications include:

• pain in the lower abdomen;
• frequent urination;
• problems with urination;
• blood in the urine;
• symptoms of urolithiasis.

In addition, it is carried out in men if there is a suspicion of prostate disease. This is how an adenoma or inflammation of this organ is detected. Ultrasound of the genitourinary system may show the presence of cystitis or chronic pyelonephritis. In women, it is carried out because it reveals diseases of the genital organs located in the small pelvis. Sometimes an ultrasound of the genitourinary system may include an examination of the uterus and appendages. Sharp pains in the lower abdomen, accompanied by a strong increase in temperature, are also an indication for research. It is worth doing this procedure for preventive reasons.

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Study preparation

It is imperative to prepare for the procedure, especially since the algorithm is simple: stick to a diet and drink a lot. The examination of the bladder takes place on a full bladder. The preparation of the patient for the study is sometimes carried out according to the following scenario: the person should not go to the toilet for 5-6 hours before the procedure. This method is suitable for people who have severe swelling. If there is no strength to endure, then you can let out a little urine, but then quickly fill the bladder again. With an empty MP, its contours are poorly visible, the same applies to the prostate and appendages. The doctor should explain how an ultrasound of the prostate is done. It is necessary to prepare not only the patient, but also the equipment: the gel is abundantly applied to the sensitive areas of the apparatus. This will give a clear image. During a transvaginal examination, a special disposable condom is put on him.

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How to fill the bladder? How much liquid for ultrasound?

Preparing for an ultrasound of the bladder during menstruation requires drinking plenty of fluids. Approximately 2 liters of non-carbonated water (water, compote, tea - it doesn't matter). The amount of fluid may depend on how much water a person drinks. In children, this dose is much lower. Carbonated drinks are not allowed because they cause increased gas formation, which closes the internal organs. Alcohol is also undesirable to use before an ultrasound of the organs. It is important to take a responsible approach to the preparation process. Otherwise, the result will be inaccurate.

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How is the procedure done?

The ultrasound technique and algorithm depends on its variety. It is important that the patient knows in advance what awaits him and how the study will be carried out. There are such types:

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transabdominal

Transabdominal ultrasound of the bladder is suitable for everyone (children, men, women). Requires patient preparation. It consists in excluding all products that cause increased gas formation a few days before the procedure (bread, legumes, dairy and sour-milk products, coffee, mineral water). For prevention, these days you need to drink 2 tablets of "Activated Charcoal" (undesirable for children). This is necessary so that gases do not block the view. In the evening, it is advisable to put a cleansing enema. Immediately before the procedure, it is necessary to fill the bladder. During the procedure, the patient lies on his back. It is worth noting that this type is less accurate, but more common.

Transrectal ultrasound of the bladder is more suitable for people with low sexual activity.

Transrectal (TRUS)

TRUS is used to diagnose diseases in women who are not sexually active and men. During the procedure, the patient lies on his side with his back to the doctor (preferably on the left) with his legs pressed to him. TRUS includes ultrasound of the prostate and bladder. A TRUS of the prostate is done. Going through this test can be painful. It is necessary to prepare for the study in a special way. To do this, select one of the methods:

• drink a laxative;
• put a microclyster;
• put on a glycerine suppository.

TRUS shows a clearer picture than transabdominal ultrasound.

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Transvaginal

Transvaginal ultrasound of the bladder is only suitable for women who are sexually active. The procedure is allowed during menstruation and pregnancy. It is important to tell the doctor about your piquant situation. This method is performed with an empty bladder. But preparation for the procedure is required: a diet and cleansing the body of gases. During menstruation, ultrasound of the uterus may show abnormalities.

Transurethral ultrasound of the bladder is performed through the urethra of the male penis.

transurethral

This method is used very rarely. Local anesthesia is used for this test because inserting the machine into the urethra can be painful. This method is used only in men. Before the procedure, you can not eat tightly, smoke, take alcohol. In addition, it is important to tell the doctor which drugs you are allergic to, whether there are chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys. Transurethral examination of the bladder and urethra can detect a tumor of the bladder.

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Features of carrying out in different groups of patients

ultrasound in women

Everyone gets tested without exception. Ultrasound of the genitourinary system in women is performed both transabdominally and transvaginally. In the first case, sometimes an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is also done at the same time. With the help of ultrasound, you can detect many inflammatory diseases, as well as neoplasms, and determine whether they are benign or malignant. Before an ultrasound of the bladder, you need to make sure that the woman has no problems with the CDC (especially during menstruation). On ultrasound of the kidneys, the neoplasm is clearly visible.

Ultrasound of the bladder during pregnancy has no special restrictions and prohibitions, because. does not adversely affect the fetus.

During pregnancy

There is an opinion that pelvic ultrasound is contraindicated. This is not true. Ultrasound does not have a negative effect on the fetus, the same applies to the placenta. Thus, this procedure is completely safe for a woman in an interesting position. But it is very important to tell the doctor about pregnancy. In this case (depending on the term and size of the fetus), he will be able to choose the right research method. This is important because in the later stages or with the threat of miscarriage, transvaginal ultrasound is prohibited. This may lead to undesirable consequences. Sometimes the test can detect the presence of a fetus.

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ultrasound in men

An ultrasound of the bladder is done in men for a full bladder. There is no need to separately do an ultrasound of the prostate and bladder, in this study, both organs are clearly visible. In addition, you can look at the condition of the prostate gland. The most common type of this study is transabdominal. It is ideal for men. It is used to check for bladder tumors.

It is important that the doctor is aware of all chronic diseases of the internal organs.

Ultrasound of the bladder can also be performed on children in case of problems with the urinary system. Back to the table of contents

Ultrasound in children

Most often, ultrasound is performed on a full bladder in older children. With the advent of diapers in infants, cystitis is increasingly common. This may be due to prolonged wearing of a filled diaper. Ultrasound examination can determine the presence of this disease. In addition, diseases of the genitourinary system in infants may be associated with an abnormal development of the kidneys, bladder and ureters. Pathology in this situation is congenital. Girls are more likely to suffer from this disease. Preparation for ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder in this situation is not possible. You can suspect a problem if the baby cries when urinating. The size of the bladder in children is smaller than in adults. Ultrasound does not harm the baby.

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Ultrasound with determination of residual urine

If residual urine is detected during ultrasound of the prostate gland, then sometimes this is included in the concept of the norm if the amount of urine does not exceed 40 ml (approximately 10% of the total). If there is more urine, this indicates the presence of diseases of the bladder and prostate gland. This problem is expressed by severe spasms or muscle strain of the bladder wall. It is most often seen in children and older men. Preparation for the study is to defecate in a normal position at will (you can’t endure it for a long time before that).

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Decryption: what is the norm

The data that the study provides is very useful for making a diagnosis. According to the MP standard, it has the following indicators:

The norm or deviation after ultrasound of the bladder is calculated by the doctor according to several indicators.

Normally, the bladder wall is smooth and uniform. It is important to look at the ureters and make sure that there are no neoplasms. The rest of the urine is checked on an empty MP. If it is not visualized, it means that the patient did not prepare in good faith and it is necessary to do an ultrasound scan again. If the result repeats, this indicates the presence of the disease. The concept of the norm may vary depending on the individual indicators of a person. The volume and size may vary depending on the amount of liquid that a person drinks daily. Ultrasound of the bladder can reveal inflammatory diseases.

Deciphering the results is the prerogative of the attending physician.

Inflammation of the bladder on ultrasound is displayed by formations at the bottom of the organ. Back to the table of contents

Signs of inflammation

Inflammation is well shown by ultrasound of the bladder. In the presence of cystine in the MP, a clot is formed, consisting of epithelium, leukocytes, erythrocytes. It settles at the bottom of the MP. In this case, in the conclusion they write "sediment in the bladder." If the inflammation progresses, then the walls begin to thicken, and the contours become uneven. The sediment begins to look more like flakes. Ultrasound picks it all up. In this case, you can see the entry "flakes in the bladder" in the conclusion.

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Other pathologies

Using this method, you can see the formation of the bladder (both inside the MP and on its walls). Foreign bodies and air are visible. Hypertension or hypertrophy of the prostate, urolithiasis, urethral injuries and other diseases are determined. To exclude the occurrence of complications, every 2 years you need to undergo an examination and take a urine test (for men after 40 - once a year). Then you can be sure that everything is in order with your health.

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Ultrasound of the bladder in women and men - how to prepare for the procedure

Such a method of examination as ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder is based on the special properties of the ultrasound wave, which consists in its ability to reflect from the tissues of organs with the formation of their image on the viewing monitor of a special apparatus. The method of ultrasound diagnostics does not cause inconvenience and discomfort and is suitable for people of any age category, including pregnant women.

When is an ultrasound done?

There are a lot of indications for this study, and there are no contraindications at all. But each patient on the day when he will have an ultrasound scan must follow certain rules, which we will talk about a little later.

This diagnostic method is used for cystitis and suspected cystitis, for changes in urine tests, for pyelonephritis, and so on.

Ultrasound helps to identify:

1. Tumor formations
2. Diverticula
3. Sand, stones
4. Foreign bodies
5. Developmental pathologies
6. Vesicoureteral reflux
7. Inflammation of the mucous membrane

And also with the help of ultrasound diagnostics, you can quite accurately determine the dimensions of the organ itself (wall thickness, volume) and other structures.

Doppler ultrasound makes it possible to assess the patency of the ureters, their location and the symmetry of the processes occurring in them, to assess the blood flow in the tumor vessels in comparison with normal ones. In the study of reflux, Dopplerography is also used.

There are a lot of indications for ultrasound, but there are no contraindications at all.

Training

Many patients do not know how to prepare for a bladder ultrasound. There is nothing complicated here. Preparing for an ultrasound of the bladder is just filling it. To prepare for the study, one to one and a half hours before the procedure, the patient drinks at least a liter of non-carbonated water, compote or tea. Milk is not suitable for these purposes. You will need to refrain from urinating until the end of the study. With cystitis and some other diseases, this can be especially difficult, and the patient feels acute discomfort. In such cases, you can go to the toilet, but after that again drink two or three glasses of water.

Preparing for an ultrasound of the bladder is just filling it

If the ultrasound is not scheduled for a specific time, then you can not drink a large amount of liquid at a time, waiting for the bubble to fill naturally. This usually happens within three to four hours.

Note! Correct visualization on the monitor of an ultrasound machine during ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder can be prevented by the intestines, when it is filled with gases and feces. With a tendency to constipation and flatulence, the patient should exclude legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables, carbonated drinks, and alcohol from the diet two days before the study.

With a tendency to constipation and flatulence, two days before the study, the patient should exclude legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables, carbonated drinks, and alcohol from the diet

Through a bladder filled with fluid, you can view the uterus before and during the first trimester of pregnancy, the ovaries, and in men to identify cysts and other formations in the prostate gland.

Study

Let's figure out how an ultrasound of the bladder is done, what is the "norm" in this case, and how to decipher the ultrasound data.

Ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal organs is generally carried out in two ways, it all depends on what and from whom we are looking for:

• Through the wall of the abdomen;
• Through the rectum, urethra, or vagina in women.

The video image of the organs under study in both methods comes from the scanning sensor and is broadcast on the monitor screen, the procedure lasts about twenty minutes.

The video image of the organs under study in both methods comes from the scanning sensor and is broadcast on the monitor screen

If the doctor suspects a pathology of the bladder, the doctor asks the patient to empty the organ and conducts its control measurements with the rest of the urine.

A sonologist may perform a transvaginal or rectal ultrasound if:

• extensive adhesive process,
• to confirm the identified pathology,
• with obesity and visualization difficulties,
• with tumors and a large amount of effusion in the abdominal cavity.

The way an ultrasound of the bladder is done in females is different from conducting the same study in men due to the anatomical and physiological differences in their organisms. In women, the study is more often performed externally, in some cases, resorting to transvaginal examination.

Note! The bladder in this case should also be full.

Ultrasound of the genitourinary system in the male part of the population is also more often performed through the abdominal wall. However, in case of significant obesity, as well as with ascites and tumors of the prostate, the patient undergoes transrectal ultrasound.

Ultrasound of the genitourinary system in the male part of the population is also more often performed through the wall of the abdomen

Naturally, before the ultrasound, the intestine should be free (for emptying, microlax enemas, laxatives (sodium picosulfate, senade) or glycerin suppositories are used.

In some situations, both men and women are recommended intracavitary examination, in which a thin probe is inserted through the urethra into the bladder cavity.

How are ultrasound data decoded?

Deciphering the ultrasound of the bladder, coupled with anamnestic data obtained from the patient and with the history of his illness, allows the most accurate diagnosis and, if necessary, prescribing adequate therapy to the patient.

The normal bladder has an echo-negative structure

1. The normal bladder has an echo-negative structure, it is a rounded organ in the transverse projection and ovoid in the longitudinal one. The contours of the bladder are normally even and clearly visualized. The cavity should be free from foreign inclusions, the wall thickness should be uniform throughout and be 0.3-0.5 cm. The maximum rate of urine outflow is normally approximately 14.5 cm / s. To evaluate it, as well as to give a more detailed description of the urethra and bladder neck, an intravesical examination is carried out, which has already been mentioned above. The norm of residual urine in an adult is approximately 50 ml or less.
2. If its amount is increased, this may indicate a tumor or inflammatory process, and also, possibly, compression of the urinary tract by a stone.
3. The acute phase of cystitis gives an ultrasound picture of small areas of positive echogenicity. This is how the sediment looks on the monitor - accumulations of epithelial cells, erythrocytes and leukocytes, as well as salt crystals. In a lying patient, it is localized along the posterior bladder wall, and when a person gets up, it moves to the front. At the initial stage of the disease, the contours of the walls remain clear, and the thickness is normal.

The acute phase of cystitis gives an ultrasound picture of small areas of positive echogenicity.

When the process is chronic, the wall thickens, the contour ceases to be even, the sediment looks like flocculent structures. With the formation of blood clots, a picture of hyperechoic formations is first observed (sometimes hypo-), and then they liquefy and acquire uneven contours and, in places, an anechoic structure.

1. Thickening over the entire surface of the bladder wall with characteristic trabecularity in pediatric patients may indicate obstruction by the own valve of the urethra.
2. If the thickening of the bladder wall is combined with ureterohydronephrosis, then we will talk about the so-called neurogenic bladder.
3. Echogenic structures, visually soldered to the wall of the organ, may be polyps, stones, signs of urethrocele and prostatic hypertrophy.
4. Mobile echogenic formations can be stones, air bubbles, foreign bodies and blood clots.
5. An enlarged organ, depending on the history and laboratory data, may be the result of hypertrophy, edema, inflammation, trauma, and other pathological processes.

Ultrasound examination of the bladder is a highly informative method that allows to detect a fairly wide range of pathologies of this organ and the anatomical structures closest to it.

This method is safe, painless and requires the most minimal preparation from the patient.

Home » Diagnostics » Ultrasound of the bladder in women and men - how to prepare for the procedure

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Indications and norms of ultrasound of the bladder

Ultrasound of the bladder is recognized as an important diagnostic method in urology and related fields of medicine (gynecology, andrology, etc.). Usually such a procedure is done in combination with ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis. This is necessary for the differential diagnosis of bladder disorders from other diseases with similar symptoms.

Why is an ultrasound of the bladder needed?

Ultrasound of the bladder is indispensable for the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary system, with cystitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the organ), urinary incontinence. And also with an increase in the prostate gland in men and other disorders. Scanning shows the size of the organ, its shape, volume, wall thickness, the volume of residual urine (with a double procedure).

As a result of ultrasound scanning, the doctor can identify the following pathologies:

• urinary tumors (benign and malignant);
• stones, sand and foreign bodies in the organ cavity;
• the degree of inflammation of the mucous membrane (with cystitis);
• wall diverticula;
• congenital developmental anomalies;
• reflux of urine from the bladder back into the ureters;
• blockage of the urethra (stone or tumor).

Doppler ultrasound (Doppler sonography) is also often used. This procedure allows you to evaluate not only the size of the organ, but also to see how freely the urine moves through the ureters. In addition, Doppler ultrasound makes it possible to trace the direction of urine flow, its shape and symmetry.

Indications for research

Ultrasound of the bladder is usually done as part of a comprehensive examination of the patient. The doctor may prescribe an ultrasound referral for characteristic symptoms, as well as when monitoring recovery after surgery or chemotherapy is necessary. Portable ultrasound machines are also used at home if daily monitoring is required to analyze the function of the urinary system.

The main indications for ultrasound diagnostics are:

• change in shade or noticeable impurities of blood in the urine;
• sediment or flakes;
• pulling or sharp pain when urinating;
• unnaturally frequent urge to urinate (even if there is no pain);
• too little urine
• discomfort or pain in the bladder area (above the pubis).

Control ultrasound of the bladder is always prescribed after removal of the tumor, regardless of whether it was an organ resection or endoscopic surgery. Extraction of stones from the urinary tract, surgery on the ureters and urethra, transurethral resection of the prostate also require a final ultrasound scan.

Also, the doctor can send the patient to such an ultrasound if there is a suspicion of inflammation of the prostate (in men) or uterine appendages (in women). Without fail, this procedure is prescribed for the diagnosis of inflammation and congenital anomalies of the ureters, kidney diseases.

Types of ultrasound

How is an ultrasound of the bladder done? For cystitis, a doctor will usually recommend one of two methods: transabdominal or transvaginal. But modern medicine knows and uses 4 options for ultrasound diagnostics of this organ.

1. Transabdominal (through the outer abdominal wall).

External ultrasound of the bladder is used most often, the main condition is a full bladder. This method does not bring any discomfort to the patient, but with urinary incontinence and obesity, such an ultrasound is not possible.

It helps to conduct a more accurate diagnosis of patients in comparison with the previous method. Do the procedure with an empty bladder.

The method is suitable for men and girls who do not live sexually. This procedure is also considered more informative than external ultrasound. In men, this makes it possible to assess the relationship between prostate damage and diseases of the urinary system.

Such an ultrasound is used least often - the introduction of a probe into the urethra can lead to damage and requires mandatory anesthesia. However, this procedure is indispensable for inflammation of the urethra. Transurethral scanning shows the degree of damage to the canal walls and allows you to assess the condition of neighboring organs.

Ultrasound of the bladder may include an assessment of the volume of the organ with the determination of residual urine and the study of its wall.

Measurement of the volume of the organ itself and residual urine takes place in 2 stages. First, a full bladder is scanned, then the patient is sent to the toilet and a second ultrasound is done. Measurement of fluid volume is carried out before and after urination. This procedure is necessary when identifying the causes of a violation of the outflow of urine. With cystitis and other disorders of the urinary system, the bladder wall is also scanned - transverse and longitudinal.

Preparing for an ultrasound of the bladder

Proper preparation for an ultrasound of the bladder is a guarantee that the results will be accurate and the diagnosis unmistakable. Each type of ultrasound requires special preparation, so you need to ask your doctor in advance which diagnostic method is right for you.

For a transabdominal procedure for cystitis and other disorders, you need to go with a prepared intestine. To do this, in 3-4 days you will have to exclude from the diet all dishes that provoke flatulence and bloating. These are cabbage, peas with beans, fresh apples, milk and muffin. You can take "Espumizan". It is advisable to do a cleansing enema the day before the procedure or just go to the toilet.

An external ultrasound is the only one that requires a full bladder. There are two ways to ensure this condition: either do not go to the toilet in the morning before the procedure (4-5 hours), or drink 1.5 liters of liquid an hour and a half before the ultrasound. It can be water without gas, herbal tea, fruit drink or compote.

For transrectal ultrasound, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the intestines the day before. Micro enema, mild laxative or anal suppositories are suitable. Transvaginal ultrasound is performed with an empty bowel and an empty bladder. And if a transurethral ultrasound is prescribed, it is enough to refuse a hearty breakfast and cigarettes a few hours before the procedure. The last two varieties also require careful hygiene procedures before analysis.

Norms of ultrasound results

The interpretation of the results of an ultrasound of the bladder includes several parameters, on the basis of which the attending physician makes the final diagnosis. These indicators include:

• bladder shape and volume;
• residual urine (volume);
• organ structure;
• wall thickness;
• filling and emptying.

The shape of the organ differs in men and women, in the latter, the position of the uterus and pregnancy, the number of births have a significant impact on the appearance of the bladder. Normally, a full organ has the shape of a pear, an empty organ is a saucer. In women, it is wider on the sides and squeezed from above.

The volume also varies depending on the gender of the patient. For women - 250-550 ml, for men - 350-750. Residual urine should not exceed 50 ml (a healthy person should not have it at all). The wall thickness is normally in the range of 2-4 mm, and the average emptying rate is 50 ml/h.

Ultrasound of the bladder is one of the most informative methods for diagnosing disorders of the urinary system. A variety of methods of this study allows you to take into account the individual characteristics of the patient and make the most accurate diagnosis.