Abnormal deviation in the measurement of residual urine volume using a portable ultrasound bladder scanner: a case report

In addition to being suitable for the assessment of residual urine volume, the use of a portable bladder scanner can also assist medical staff in developing a reasonable urination plan. Portable scanners can help medical personnel to estimate the height and/or relaxation of the bladder neck for pelvic floor muscle training, assist in the efficacy evaluation of muscarinic antagonists in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity, and even determine whether the urine in the bladder of pediatric patients meets the criteria for catheterization to obtain urine samples. However, in the case described herein, we encountered abnormal deviation between the data measured by a portal bladder scanner and actual catheterization. The patient was a 65-year-old male suffering spinal nerve dysfunction due to tuberculous meningitis. He had functional dysuria and a history of liver cirrhosis, accompanied by a large amount of ascites. We therefore deduced that the deviation in the scanning data was attributable to the ascites. After the patient’s ascites had resolved, the residual urine volume obtained via scanning evaluation was comparable to that obtained through catheterization. Our case shows that in the event of abnormal deviation in portable bladder scanner measurements, clinical judgements should be made based on the patient’s condition rather than the scanning results alone.