Ultrasound of the bladder deciphering the norm. Ultrasound examination or ultrasound of the bladder in men: preparation, conduct and interpretation of the results. Contraindications for the study

The bladder can be examined in many ways. One of the simplest, most informative and safest is ultrasound. At the same time, during an ultrasound of the bladder in men, the seminal vesicles, prostate, and kidneys are simultaneously checked.

A little preparation is needed before scanning to get accurate results. A diagnosis is not made on one parameter - the data obtained are evaluated comprehensively.

Bladder ultrasound in men

The ultrasound method is based on the passage of ultrasound through the tissues. It is reflected from structures depending on their density. A highly sensitive sensor captures signals, transmits data to a computer, and an image is instantly displayed on the monitor screen, which allows for real-time diagnostics. During the scan, the following is assessed:

Ultrasound in men has a number of features. The study is carried out with the determination of the amount of residual urine, which is necessary to check the seminal vesicles and prostate. The type of scan is selected depending on the area being examined. For example, only for the study of the genitourinary system, a simple ultrasound is sufficient, for a more advanced diagnosis, another method is chosen. Two pictures are always taken - longitudinal and transverse (which includes the ureter).

Types of ultrasound diagnostics of the bladder in men

Ultrasound scanning is carried out using a special sensor. Research has three types:

The transabdominal method allows you to assess the condition of the bladder, prostate and kidneys. This method is used most often. Transrectal is most preferred. It measures the volume of residual urine. An additional plus is a biopsy (the possibility of taking tissues for analysis). The transurethral method allows you to evaluate the connection of the bladder with the channel that removes urine.

Indications and contraindications for ultrasound of the bladder in men

An indication for ultrasound may be a medical examination, when all systems and organs of the body are checked, preparation for a surgical operation. However, the main indications are:

Contraindications for ultrasound depend on the scanning method. Transabdominal is not done when:

• urinary incontinence;
• severe obesity;
• burns;
• open wounds or skin diseases in the place of sliding of the sensor;
• bladder defects (for example, scars or sutures on the walls of the organ).

The transrectal method is not performed when:

• hemorrhoids;
• Crohn's disease;
• dysentery;
• the presence of cracks in the anus;
• the absence of the rectum or its obstruction, narrowing;
• allergies to latex.

The transurethral method is not carried out with intolerance to anesthesia or painkillers, inflammatory processes in the urethra.

Features of preparation for ultrasound of the bladder in men

Preparation for the examination of the bladder also depends on the chosen diagnostic method. With transabdominal and transrectal, the organ must be filled, and the intestines must be cleaned and emptied. Therefore, 2 days before the ultrasound, all gas-forming foods and drinks are excluded from the diet and activated charcoal is taken.

In the evening before the examination, an enema is given and after it, it is no longer possible to eat before the procedure. 3 hours before the scan, the patient should drink a liter of non-carbonated water and not urinate until the procedure is completed. Directly in front of her, a man drinks a diuretic tablet to speed up the process of urine excretion.

Allergy tests for anesthesia are done before transurethral ultrasound. For 2 days, the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited, since their effect with medications is unpredictable. In the morning (and then only if absolutely necessary), only a light breakfast is allowed. You can smoke for the last time 2 hours before the procedure, otherwise food and nicotine can cause a gag reflex.

The common thing in all cases is to notify the doctor in advance about existing allergic reactions, the impossibility of canceling medications taken, the presence of diseases (especially respiratory, cardiac, renal and vascular).

How is the procedure carried out

The most common method is when the bladder is scanned through the abdominal wall. The man lies on his back, on the couch and exposes their abdomen. After applying the gel, the sensor begins to slide on it. Other methods can be chosen both separately and to clarify the diagnosis.

For example, for men, the transrectal method is best suited, as it allows you to determine how much residual urine is in the bladder, to check the prostate. In this case, the examination is carried out twice - with a full bladder and after it has been emptied. A man takes off his pants, underwear and lies on the couch on his side, bends his legs at the knees and pulls them up to his chin. A condom is put on the sensor, and the device is inserted into the anus. For transurethral ultrasound, a special device is used.

Useful video

What is important for patients to know about the features of the procedure can be found in this video.

Deciphering the results: norm and pathology

The normal bladder is oval, round or triangular. The shape of the organ depends on the degree of filling with urine. The bubble should have clear contours, a wall thickness of 2 to 5 mm, be hollow inside, not have any foreign inclusions, ruptures, cracks in the structure.

Normally, the structure of the organ is echo-negative, but increases with age. The size of the bladder in men is 350-750 ml, the filling rate is 50 ml/hour, ejection from the ureters is up to 14.5 cm/sec. Emptying should occur approximately 4 times in knocks of 150-250 ml. The level of residual urine normally does not exceed 50 ml.

What can an ultrasound reveal?

The image on the ultrasound of the bladder: what shows in men:

Preparation is of great importance in deciphering. If it was incorrect, then the decoding may be inaccurate or you have to do a re-examination. With an ultrasound of the bladder, the organ should be full. If this condition is not met, the diagnosis cannot be considered complete.

The price of an ultrasound examination depends on the region, clinic, equipment. However, in any case, the cost of diagnostics is the lowest in comparison with other research methods (CT, MRI, etc.). For example, in Moscow, an ultrasound scan can cost from 500 to 3,500 rubles. Such a spread in the price tag also depends on the method of conducting ultrasound, the field of study.

Ultrasound examination of the bladder is a high-tech diagnostic method. Checking the state of this organ using ultrasound provides the doctor with an array of valuable data needed to make a diagnosis.

During the ultrasound of the urinary system and specifically the bladder, the thickness of its wall and the amount of fluid remaining in it after emptying are accurately calculated. Ultrasound with high accuracy reveals the presence of tumors, their size, direction of growth and other indicators. Ultrasound scanning makes it possible to assess emissions from the ureters and to clarify the degree of infiltration of the bladder wall.

To date, ultrasound is the most effective way for a doctor to obtain the information necessary for effective treatment of a patient. Ultrasound examination does not harm patients, because it does not carry radiation exposure and is completely painless. That is why ultrasound scanning can be performed at any frequency. This possibility is very important when observing the dynamics of various diseases of any internal organs.

Benefits of bladder ultrasound at SM-Clinic

In the SM-Clinic centers in Moscow or the Moscow region, you can choose the time that is convenient for you to undergo this procedure. We also provide a general ultrasound of the pelvic organs, examining them all during one session. A comprehensive ultrasound will provide the doctor with a detailed clinical picture of your health, and you will not need additional trips to the doctor. Simultaneously with an ultrasound of the bladder, we can quickly examine other organs in the urinary system of the human body, in particular the kidneys.

We provide comprehensive services for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of a wide range of diseases of all organs of the genitourinary system. The staff of our medical holding accepts only highly qualified doctors, there is a regular exchange of professional experience between them, most of the specialists combine active scientific work and work in the SM-Clinic.

What are the tasks of bladder ultrasound?

Due to such differences, when a man or woman undergoes an ultrasound of the bladder, their attending physician sets different tasks for ultrasound diagnosticians. Ultrasound scanning has long been recognized as the most effective way to recognize diseases of the genitourinary system. Standard diagnostic methods do not always successfully cope with this task, since urethritis, cystitis and pyelonephritis have similar symptoms.

Using the capabilities of ultrasound, you can accurately:

• determine the contours, volume, dimensions and thickness of the walls of the studied bubble;
• set the volume of residual (after emptying the bladder) liquid;
• assess the functioning of the ureters;
• detect tumors;
• diagnose urolithiasis;
• identify pathologies of the development of the bladder;
• find foci of inflammation caused by infections and so on.

In the centers of "SM-Clinic" ultrasound of the bladder performed on the latest equipment makes it possible to reliably assess the well-being of this organ and identify almost any violations in its work.

Indications for ultrasound examination of the bladder

The passage of an unscheduled (urgent) ultrasound of the bladder in women is required for:

• episodes of urinary retention or with frequent urination, the appearance of blood in the urine;
• signs of diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract (the appearance of pain in the lower back, characteristic swelling under the eyes, general fatigue and weakness, etc.);
• suspected disruption of the ovaries (sharp pain in the lower abdomen, menstrual irregularities, sudden bleeding, etc.),
• injuries of this organ;
• very different from the norm indicators of urine and / or blood tests;
• detection of stones in the bladder.

• frequent urination, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, etc. - that is, signs of a possible inflammation of the prostate gland;
• blood in the urine, urinary retention, pain in the lower back and perineum;
• bladder trauma, detection of stones in it.
• protracted, chronic nature and in most cases to avoid surgical intervention.

Preparation for the procedure

How it all goes

To date, to recognize the ailments of the male reproductive system, there are various medical procedures. One of the most common and informative methods is ultrasound diagnostics. The doctor may prescribe it in case of suspicion of a pathology of the urinary or andrological system. In addition, careful preparation for an ultrasound of the bladder in men can help the device correctly display the size of the organ, the condition of its walls and urine retention.

It should be noted that in medical practice there are several options for ultrasound. Moreover, each of them has its own characteristics. Firstly, a transabdominal type of study is carried out on the anterior wall of the peritoneum using a sensor (usually you need to drink a certain amount of water the day before).

Secondly, the transrectal method involves the use of a special rectal sensor by the doctor. This is necessary to discover the connection between prostate disease and the bladder (the technique helps to determine the amount of urine residue).

Sometimes there is a need to use the Doppler method. Such an ultrasound may be prescribed if a tumor or reflux of the bladder is suspected (it helps to monitor the flow of urine in the canal and blood flow in the urinary organs).

Essences and principles of diagnostics

Diagnosis of the bladder is based on the possibility of obtaining the appropriate pattern on the monitor by passing through it ultrasonic waves. They have a high frequency of oscillation, elusive to human ears. The essence of the procedure consists in the following aspects:

1. Waves pass through tissues where they are partially absorbed, refracted or reflected.
2. The reflected wave is picked up by the same sensor that emits it.
3. Then there is amplification of the waves, their automatic processing, as well as the formation of images of organs and tissues on the monitor.

In addition to assessing the structure of the walls, the volume and shape of the organ, ultrasound provides additional information after procedures such as cystoscopy, urography or computed tomography. Typically, this type of diagnosis does not harm the body and, moreover, lasts no more than 15 minutes.

The method has a significant advantage: no need to install a urinary catheter and introduce fluid into the bladder, which ensures the absence of injuries, infections and discomfort.

The need for

To find out which ultrasound option is best for you, the patient should make an appointment with a urologist. He can prescribe the procedure both as part of a general pelvic examination and more complex situations, for example, if surgery is necessary. So, preparation for an ultrasound of the bladder will be needed if:

1. Frequent or painful urination predominates.
2. Foreign impurities appear in the urine, such as sediment or blood.
3. There is acute urinary retention.
4. Urolithiasis is suspected.
5. There are paroxysmal pain in the lower abdominal cavity.

In addition, modern ultrasound methods are able to clarify the real picture in the process of such surgical interventions as removal of the tumor, grinding of stones in the bladder and endoscopic removal of the adenoma.

Main contraindications

In general, the procedure does not have significant drawbacks, as it is simple and lacks severe discomfort. Despite this, there are some contraindications regarding its implementation..

1. There is a high probability of exacerbation of the inflammatory process in the case of dermatitis or other skin diseases.
2. Individual intolerance to the conductive gel (in this case, you need to use another remedy or refuse the procedure).
3. Ultrasound should not be performed with a full bladder.
4. The inability to fill the bladder to the desired volume with injuries, the presence of drainage, chronic incontinence or hemodialysis.

If such circumstances occur, the procedure should not be done. But with an urgent need for it, taking precautions and under the supervision of a doctor, it can pass without problems.

Preparatory stage and ultrasound results

Careful preparation of the patient for ultrasound is essential. So, before the procedure, the organ must be filled in sufficient volume, which will make it possible to consider the thickness of its walls, shape and contour. Optimally, 1-2 hours before the ultrasound, drink 2 liters of liquid (tea, compote, water without gas), although you can resort to another option - do not empty yourself for 5-6 hours.

If the doctor has prescribed a transrectal examination, the man will need to give a cleansing enema 3-4 hours before it and refrain from eating. At the same time, one day before visiting the treatment room, you should stop taking alcoholic beverages, and two hours before the appointed time - smoking. Arriving at the examination, the patient needs to notify the specialist about the presence of problems with the cardiovascular system, pulmonary and renal pathologies or allergic reactions, if any.

Features of the examination of men

Before you prepare and do an ultrasound of the bladder, you need to understand some of the features of the procedure. For example, in the process of checking the organ, it may be necessary to additionally examine the prostate. So, if the doctor suspects that the patient has a disease associated with the prostate, he can write out a referral for a study of the bladder with the identification of residual fluid.

Preparing for this procedure is quite simple: you just need to go to the toilet, and then return to the treatment room. The specialist will be able to measure the amount of fluid that remains in the organ and determine the further course of events by looking at the results. As for other nuances, the diagnosis of an organ in men and women does not have significant differences.

Decoding and norm options

The results of an ultrasound examination of the bladder, along with the patient's complaints, can help the doctor draw conclusions and prescribe appropriate treatment. The same applies to the ultrasound of the prostate. The normal indicators of the bubble are:

1. The total volume is from 350 to 750 milliliters.
2. Echo-negative structure.
3. Egg-shaped.
4. The presence of smooth contours.
5. Same wall thickness.

As for the prostate gland, its normal parameters are: uniform structure, symmetrical contours, weight up to 18 grams and optimal dimensions (longitudinal - up to 40 millimeters, transverse from 27 to 41 millimeters, and anteroposterior at least 25 millimeters).

However, other types of examinations, such as the results of an analysis for infections and bacteria, a general blood draw, and a superficial medical examination, may be important for making an accurate diagnosis.

Preventive measures

Modern representatives of the stronger sex doctors recommend visiting a urologist several times a year. So, getting a referral for an ultrasound scan, a man will be able to quickly take action at the initial stage of the disease.

If the appointment with the doctor is carried out in a public institution, there is the possibility of free passage of this study. However, if there is no time to wait in line, you can spend a small amount by contacting a private clinic (the price of the issue will depend on the specific medical center and the attending physician).

It is worth noting that the risk group includes men who are over 35 years old, so they need to carefully monitor the functions of the genitourinary system and undergo regular examinations. By following this simple rule, a person will be able to save himself from major troubles in the future.

Ultrasound is a modern diagnostic method that allows you to visualize the internal structures of human organs. This method is based on high-frequency sound waves that form images of organs on the monitor of the device. It is used to study the condition of many organs, including the bladder in men. This study is also called sonography, which allows you to detect various developmental pathologies, identify the presence of tumors and other lesions.

Ultrasound examination of the bladder is an absolutely safe diagnostic method, which has practically no contraindications. The decision to conduct it is made by the attending physician who conducts the treatment.

The main indication for an ultrasound of the bladder in men is the presence of pathological symptoms. If the patient has problems emptying the bladder, or feels pain during urination, then he is immediately sent for an ultrasound examination.

In addition, this study is carried out in the following cases:

• The presence of blood clots in the urine during emptying of the bladder.
• Frequent urge to urinate.
• Uncontrolled emptying of the bladder.
• In the presence of cystitis.
• If the bladder does not empty completely.

Types of ultrasound of the bladder in men

In modern practice, several methods of conducting an ultrasound of the bladder in men are used. The choice of this or that method is carried out only by the attending physician, who is well acquainted with the clinical picture of the disease in a particular patient. Let's consider each of them in more detail:

transabdominal ultrasonic study

This method is most often used in medical practice. It is used not only for men, but also for children and pregnant women.

It is carried out in the usual way using the sensor of the apparatus, which is carried out along the anterior abdominal wall. In order for the study to give its results, it is necessary to drink enough liquid so that the urinary bladder is filled.

transrectal way

This method is carried out using a rectal probe inserted into the anus. This type of study is prescribed if the doctor has suspicions about the connection between the disease of the prostate and the condition of the organ under study.

transurethral way

Ultrasound is performed by inserting a probe into a man's urethra. The logic here is the same as in the previous study, i.e. the doctor suspects a connection between the condition of the bladder and diseases of the urinary tract.

This study provides a lot of information about the state of the urethra itself, but is not used so often. The reason for this is the increased requirements for the qualifications of personnel, as well as the risk of damage to the urethra.

Preparing for an ultrasound

Preparation for this diagnostic event is very important, because only if all the requirements of the doctor are met, you can get the desired results of the study. One of the main requirements that the patient must fulfill is a fluid-filled bladder.

Filling the bladder is a prerequisite for an ultrasound, regardless of its type. The only study in which fluid intake is optional is transvaginal ultrasound, but this is done only in women.

Preparation for ultrasound depends on the method of conducting, which we described earlier. So, with the transabdominal method, it is important to fulfill the following conditions:

1. Approximately three hours before the procedure, you need to drink a sufficient amount of liquid - about one liter. At the same time, you do not need to go to the toilet, even if you feel the urge to urinate.
2. The intestines must also be prepared. Two days before the procedure, you need to stop eating foods that increase the production of gases in the intestines. We are talking about vegetables and fruits, cheese, various sodas, beans and beans, dairy products, etc. You also need to exclude alcohol.
3. One day before the study, it is necessary to empty the intestines using laxatives. To make the result more effective, on the day of the procedure, you can use Microlax microclysters, which have a very fast effect.
4. Also, it will not be superfluous to take activated charcoal, which reduces gas formation.

If a transrectal ultrasound is performed, then the preparation approximately coincides with the previous one. You also need to drink enough water on the day of the study - approximately 2 to 3 hours before the procedure. Naturally, it is necessary to empty the intestines using microclysters or special suppositories.

The transurethral method is performed under anesthesia, so the preparation will be slightly different:

• The day before the start of the proposed procedure, you must completely exclude the consumption of alcohol. This is necessary in order to avoid the possible negative effect that can be with a combination of alcohol and injected drugs for local anesthesia.
• Directly on the day of the ultrasound, it is best to refuse to eat, or limit yourself to a light breakfast if the ultrasound is performed in the afternoon. You also need to stop smoking two hours before the procedure. All these actions are necessary in order to avoid nausea in the patient.
• Also, the patient must report any diseases of the heart, respiratory system and kidneys that he has. If you have problems with alcohol, allergies to any drugs, then you also need to talk about this.

What does the procedure show?

Conducting an ultrasound of the bladder allows you to give a complete picture of his condition. This organ has a hollow structure, so it lends itself well to the study of ultrasonic waves.

With this study, you can determine:

• The degree of patency of the ureteral canals.
• If there are any tumors, neoplasms or stones, then ultrasound successfully identifies them.
• The presence of sediment in the organ, which is visible in the form of various epithelium, salts, crystals.
• The presence of an inflammatory process occurring in a chronic or acute form.
• Atony.
• Incorrect organ position.
• Increased tone.
• The presence of diverticula - saccular protrusions of the walls of the bladder.
• If there are any problems with the prostate, then this becomes clear after the procedure.

In addition to identifying various pathologies, ultrasound allows you to assess the general condition of the bladder, determine its shape, volume, general structure, wall thickness, etc. This information is also very important, because on the basis of it deviations from the norm can be determined.

There are generally accepted standards for the condition of the bladder, on the basis of which the results are interpreted:

• The shape of the organ will depend on the fullness of the liquid, as well as on the state of the internal organs located nearby. On longitudinal images, the shape of the organ is more like an egg, and on transverse images, the shape is more rounded.
• The echo-negative structure of the organ is considered the norm. It is important to understand that echogenicity increases as a man grows older.
• The normal volume of an organ should be between 350 and 750 ml.
• The wall thickness should be the same in all parts of the body. If this is not the case, somewhere the wall is thickened or its thinning is observed, then this indicates the presence of pathology. Normally, the thickness should be in the range of 2 to 4 mm.
• The level of residual urine should be no more than 50 ml.

If the doctor notices at least one obvious deviation, then this is already a considerable cause for concern. Based on these data, he makes a definite diagnosis, which allows him to start therapeutic actions in a timely manner.

Preparation for ultrasound of the bladder in men is an important component of the diagnostic measure. If it is carried out incorrectly, then the results obtained will not reflect the true picture of the state of the organ, its shape, structure. In turn, this will significantly complicate the correct diagnosis, which means that treatment will be started late.

You can also watch the process of ultrasound of the bladder.