The Accuracy of Portable Abdominal Ultrasound Equipment in Measuring Postvoid Residual Volume

This study examines the accuracy of a new portable abdominal ultrasound machine (Bladder Scan, BVI 2500) used to measure postvoid urine residual (PVR). Using this machine, we started prospectively measuring residual urine in the first 80 women undergoing uroflowmetry in our urodynamic unit. Ultrasound PVR measurements were done immediately prior to catheterization while the patient was in the supine position. The catheterized postvoid residual was used as the gold standard. Eighty paired measurements were done on 78 women. Compared to catheterized PVR, ultrasound PVR measurements tend to underestimate and correlated poorly with the actual residual volume. The reading was considered accurate if it was within 25% of the catheterized PVR. The ultrasound PVR measurements were most accurate (60.6%) when the readings were below 50 ml and least accurate (10%) when readings were higher than 150 ml. Readings between 50 and 150 ml were 27% accurate. A measurement of zero ‘000’ was common (44%), usually reflecting volumes of less than 50 ml (84% of cases). However, it could indicate that the bladder had been missed altogether. Partial measurement of the bladder volume, where the lateral bladder borders are missing, produces readings much below the actual volume: a ‘tip of the iceberg’ phenomenon. We therefore advocate caution when interpreting PVR measurements from portable abdominal ultrasound machines, and if an accurate measurement of PVR is necessary, catheterization remains a more reliable method.     

膀胱重量与前列腺增生临床参数的相关性研究

目的探讨膀胱重量（Bw）与常用BPH临床参数的相关性。方法81例BPH患者分为尿潴留与非尿潴留组,经腹B超（TAUS）测量其BW,将BW与年龄、国际前列腺症状评分（I—PSS）、生活质量评分（QOL）、前列腺体积（PV）、排尿后残余尿（PVR）、最大尿流率（Qmax）和前列腺特异抗原（PSA）进行相关分析。结果81例患者年龄平均（71．73±5．80）岁,IPSS（15．89±3．44）分,QOL（3．88±0．93）分,PV（61．55±19．67）m1．PVR（71．11±30．83）ml,Qmax（9．93±2．74）ml／s,PSA（3．30±2．63）rig／ml,BW（75．85±18．45）g;两组间年龄、QOL、PV、PRV、Qmax、PSA和BW存在显著性差异,而I—PSS差异无显著性;BW与年龄、IPSS、QOL、PV、PRV、PSA呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为（r=0．587,r=0．481,r=0．816,r=0．911,r=0．784,r=0．864,P〈0．001）,而与Qmax呈显著负相关（r=-0．769,p〈0．001）。结论BW能反映BPH的严重程度,对指导判断BPH严重程度和外科干预时机可能有重要的临床意义。     

Comparison of intravesical prostatic protrusion, prostate volume and serum prostatic-specific antigen in the evaluation of bladder outlet obstruction

AIM: The aims of this study were to define the relationship between intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostate volume (PV) and to determine which one of them is the best predictor of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to benign prostatic enlargement. METHODS: A prospective study of 114 male patients older than 50 years examined between November 2001 and 2002 was performed. They were evaluated with digital rectal examination, International Prostate Symptoms Score, PSA, uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine measurement, IPP and PV using transabdominal ultrasound scan. Statistical analysis included scatter plot with Spearman's correlation coefficients and nominal logistic regression RESULTS: Prostate volume, IPP and PSA showed parallel correlation. Although all three indices had good correlation with BOO index, IPP was the best. The Spearman rho correlation coefficients were 0.314, 0.408 and 0.507 for PV, PSA and IPP, respectively. Using receiver-operator characteristic curves, the areas under the curve for PV, PSA and IPP were 0.637, 0.703 and 0.772, respectively. The positive predictive values of PV, PSA and IPP were 65%, 68% and 72%, respectively. Using a nominal regression model, IPP remained the most significant independent index to determine BOO. CONCLUSIONS: All three non-invasive indices correlate with one another. The study showed that IPP is a better predictor for BOO than PSA or PV.     

How accurate is measuring postvoid residual volume by portable abdominal ultrasound equipment in peritoneal dialysis patient?

INTRODUCTION: Despite the wide spread use of modern portable ultrasound equipment to measure the postvoid residual urine, its accuracy and reliability has been questioned. We investigated the accuracy of postvoid residual urine measurement by portable abdominal ultrasound equipment in end-stage renal disease patients who are under either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 male (range: 25-44 years, mean age: 32 years) end-stage renal disease patients were studied. Ten were under peritoneal dialysis and 11 under hemodialysis. After uroflowmetric study, all patients were evaluated with portable abdominal ultrasound equipment (BladderScan BVI 3000, Diagnostic Ultrasound Corporation, WA) by both a technician and a physician and they were subsequently catheterized with a 10F catheter to measure the residual urine volume in the urinary bladder. Postvoid residual urine volume results by portable abdominal ultrasound equipment and urethral catheterization were analyzed. RESULTS: We found portable abdominal ultrasound to be very accurate to measure the volume of postvoid residual urine in hemodialysis patients(r=0.921, P<0.05 by physician and r=0.904, P<0.05 by technician). However, accuracy was the worst in peritoneal dialysis patients (r=0.055, P=0.88 by physician and r=0.336, P=0.343 by technician). The technician or physician use of the equipment did not change the accuracy profile of the equipment in both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients. CONCLUSIONS: Portable abdominal ultrasound equipment may be an unreliable method to measure postvoid residual urine volume in peritoneal dialysis patients.     

Postvoid residual volume cannot be accurately estimated by bimanual examination

This study aimed to test the recommendation in the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Practice Guideline on urinary incontinence that postvoid residual volume PVR estimates can be done by palpation. Postvoid residual volumes were obtained on 50 consecutive women presenting for evaluation of incontinence. Volumes were first estimated by bimanual examination and were then immediately measured by catheterization. Of 7 women who had a positive PVR, defined as greater than 50 ml, only 1 was estimated at greater than 50 ml on bimanual examination. The sensitivity of bimanual examination compared to catheterization to detect a positive PVR was 14%; specificity was 67%. Based on this assessment, the AHCPR guideline's inclusion of palpation estimates of PVR cannot be endorsed, unless a given practitioner has repeated a similar type of evaluation in his or her practice to determine whether the sensitivity is higher than that found in this study.EDITORIAL COMMENT: The author proves without a doubt that an accurate determination of residual urine by palpation is impossible — which makes complete sense. Inexpensive instrumentation for bladder ultrasound is now available and should be considered the method of choice to check postvoid residuals in chronic care settings to avoid repeated urethral catheterization. Ultrasound measurement of postvoid residuals is also attractive for office evaluation, but may not be widely available to the practicing clinician. Further research to determine the significance of a postvoid residual of greater than 50 ml is needed.     

Diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive tests to evaluate bladder outlet obstruction in men: detrusor wall thickness, uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine, and prostate volume

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of detrusor wall thickness (DWT), free uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine, and prostate volume (index tests) with pressure-flow studies (reference standard) to detect bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in men. METHODS: During a 2-yr period, men older than 40 yr with lower urinary tract symptoms and/or prostatic enlargement had the following tests: ultrasound measurements of DWT, free uroflowmetry (Q(max), Q(ave)), postvoid residual urine, and prostate volume. Pressure-flow studies were used to divide obstructed from nonobstructed bladders. RESULTS: One hundred sixty men between 40-89 yr of age (median: 62 yr) were included in the study; 75 patients (46.9%) had BOO according to pressure-flow studies. The results of all investigated index tests differed significantly between obstructed and nonobstructed men. DWT was the most accurate test to determine BOO: the positive predictive value was 94%, specificity 95%, and the area under the curve of ROC analysis 0.93. There was an agreement of 89% between the results of DWT measurement and pressure-flow studies. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of DWT can detect BOO better than free uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine, or prostate volume. In clinical routine, DWT measurements can be used to judge BOO noninvasively.     

Diagnostik des benignen Prostatasyndroms

The diagnostic work-up of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in the German guidelines consists of obligatory and optional diagnostic parameters. Recommendations for assessing LUTS include patient history, symptom questionnaires (IPSS international prostate symptoms score), physical examination, urine analysis, prostate-specific antigen, uroflowmetry, ultrasound examination of the urinary bladder, including postvoid residual urine and ultrasound examination of the upper urinary tract. Optional tests are voiding diary, pressure-flow studies, ultrasound measurement of detrusor wall thickness, urethrocystography and urethrocystoscopy. Ultrasound measurement of detrusor wall thickness in particular has a 95 % positive predictive value in diagnosing bladder outlet obstruction. With all diagnostic parameters it is possible to treat LUTS in a risk-adapted manner.     

Use of residual fraction instead of residual volume in the evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms

Assessment of postvoid residual volume (PVR) has become a valuable routine investigation in the evaluation of bladder outlet obstruction. PVR has been shown to have interindividual and intraindividual variation and dependence on prevoid urinary volume, thus raising a question about its significance. The aim of this study was to investigate an alternate parameter more reliable than PVR, described as residual fraction (RF) and calculated as (PVR x 100)/prevoid volume. Ninety-three adult patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) presenting to the urology outpatient clinic were evaluated for bladder outlet obstruction. Patients with urinary retention and neurological disorders were excluded. Evaluation was by clinical assessment, uroflowmetry, and ultrasound bladder for prevoid and postvoid urine volume estimation. The latter was compared with RF. Results were statistically analyzed using bivariate analysis and Spearman's test. In 93 evaluable patients, there were 87 (94%) males and 6 (6%) females. Residual volume ranged from 4 to 450 mL (mean 91.4+/-92.7 mL). Peak flow rate (Qmax) varied from 3 to 49 mL/s (mean 9+/-15 mLis). Two-tailed correlation between PVR and Qmax was significant at the .05 level, whereas a more significant R value at .01 was observed between RF and Qmax. There was a strong positive correlation between RF and PVR with Qmax. RF statistically correlated better with Qmax than PVR. It is recommended that RF be used instead of PVR in the routine noninvasive evaluation of LUTS.     

Fotovaporización prostática láser Greenlight HPS en régimen de cirugía mayor ambulatoria

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of photovaporization of the prostate with Greenlight HPS laser as major outpatient surgery.Materials and methodsA prospective study was conducted of a cohort of 50 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia who underwent photovaporization with Greenlight HPS laser (120 W) as major outpatient surgery from May 2008 to February 2009.Inclusion criteria were moderate to severe obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms (IPSS of 10 or more and flowmetry with Qmax of 10 ml/sec or less due to benign prostatic hyperplasia with prostate volume less than 80 ml.Preoperative assessment included IPSS; flowmetry; physical examination; ultrasound examination of the kidney, bladder, and prostate (retropubic and transrectal); and measurement of postvoid residue and PSA levels. Surgical data were assessed (vaporization time, operating time, joules, complications during and after surgery). Patients were followed up 1 and 3 months after surgery (PSA, flow rate, IPSS questionnaire).ResultsNo patient admission or readmission was required, and bladder catheter was successfully removed from all patients within 24 hours of surgery. Mean patient age was 66.75 years. Mean prostate volume was 44.5 ml (SD +/-21). Twenty patients (40%) had prior catheterization. Qmax and postvoid values significantly improved. Major complications at follow-up included voiding syndrome-urgency in 6 patients (12%) and mild transient hematuria in 3 patients (6%).ConclusionsPhotovaporization of the prostate with Greenlight HPS laser may be safely and successfully performed as a major outpatient surgical procedure, which undoubtedly represents a change in care, for surgical treatment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.     

Correlation between ultrasound alterations of the preprostatic sphincter and symptoms in patients with chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome

PURPOSE: We investigated ultrasound alterations of the preprostatic sphincter in patients with chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome. We evaluated the frequency of these alterations, standardized their ultrasound measurement and correlated them with symptoms in patients with chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 37 patients with chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome and 23 healthy volunteers certain parameters were measured by transrectal ultrasound, including prostate volume, hypoechoic periurethral zone volume, posterior prostate lip thickness, bladder neck thickness, detrusor thickness and the degree of echogenicity of the anterior fibromuscular stroma. All patients were evaluated with the International Prostate Symptom Score and National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index. Urinary flow rate and post-void residual urine volume were also considered in each patient. All assessments were done independently and consecutively by 3 operators. RESULTS: A hypoechoic periurethral zone volume was found in 36 of 37 patients with chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome. No significant intra-observer and interobserver differences were found in ultrasound parameter measurements. In the chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome group ultrasound findings showed greater post-void residual urine volume, detrusor thickness and hypoechoic periurethral zone volume, increased posterior prostate lip thickness and bladder neck thickness, and greater anterior fibromuscular stroma hyperechogenicity. On multivariate analysis hypoechoic periurethral zone volume was an independent predictive factor for worse National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index pain, urinary and total scores. Posterior prostate lip thickness was the only factor predictive of a worse International Prostate Symptom Score in patients with chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome. A hypoechoic periurethral zone volume, posterior prostate lip thickness and bladder neck thickness with calculated threshold values revealed fair to excellent accuracy for identifying a patient with chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound evaluation of the bladder neck-posterior urethra in patients with chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome led us to identify a set of lesions that cannot be found in healthy subjects. The measurement of hypoechoic periurethral zone volume, posterior prostate lip thickness and bladder neck thickness could be useful for following patients with chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome and maybe for better understanding the complicated pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.     

Photoselective laser vaporization prostatectomy for acute urinary retention in China

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of photoselective laser vaporization of the prostate (PVP) in the treatment of patients with acute urinary retention (AUR) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients (mean age 72 +/- 5 years, range 65-89) with AUR because of BPH were treated with a prospective trial of PVP with the potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser. The treatment outcome was evaluated with subjective and objective tests at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after PVP using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), disease-specific quality of life (QoL) score, postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume, and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax). The International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire and a self-designed ejaculatory questionnaire were completed at different follow-up times to determine patient satisfaction and changes in sexual function. RESULTS: After preliminary urine drainage and adequate preoperative preparation, PVP was performed and bladder outlet obstruction was effectively relieved. The mean prostate volume was 62.5 +/- 11.7 cc, and the mean residual volume with retention was 650 mL (range 240-1200 mL). Mean operative time was 28.6 +/- 5.7 minutes. Mean catheterization duration was 5.6 days (range 3-14 d). There was significant subjective improvement of symptoms and objective improvement in urinary flow rates at 12 months. The mean IPSS and QoL score decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Mean PVR volume also decreased. The mean Qmax was 16.2 +/- 4.6 mL/sec after treatment. Only two patients had recurrent urinary retention during follow-up. There were no intraoperative or postoperative adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The early clinical results suggest that the PVP is a promising safe, effective, and less-invasive treatment with minimal morbidity for patients with urine retention secondary to BPH.     

BPH梗阻致膀胱功能改变的尿动力学研究

为探讨前列腺增生症（ＢＰＨ）梗阻致膀胱功能改变的临床意义，对５９例ＢＰＨ病人进行全面尿动力学检查。结果：（１）最大逼尿肌等容收缩压（Ｐｉｓｏ）与逼尿肌收缩速度呈正相关（ｒ＝０．７１６７，Ｐ＜０００１）。（２）Ｐｉｓｏ随膀胱充盈量增加而显著下降（Ｐ＜０００１）。（３）Ｐｉｓｏ与ＢＰＨ梗阻程度呈正相关性（ｒ＝０．６７８１，Ｐ＜０００１）。（４）当剩余尿量≥１００ｍｌ，逼尿肌储能显著下降（Ｐ＜０００１）。（５）不稳定膀胱组的Ｐｉｓｏ显著高于稳定膀胱组。结果认为：不稳定膀胱是引起ＢＰＨ病人临床症状的主要因素之一，膀胱等容收缩试验应用于ＢＰＨ病人有重要的临床价值     

The association between benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic kidney disease in community-dwelling men

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and chronic kidney disease are important public health problems in older men. Previous referral-based studies disagree on whether BPH is associated with chronic kidney disease. The objective of this study was to determine the community-based association between clinical measures of BPH and chronic kidney disease. METHODS: A community-based sample of 2115 white men (ages 40-79 years) was randomly selected from the Olmsted County, Minnesota population (55% participation rate) in 1990. A random subsample (N= 476) had a detailed clinical evaluation. This evaluation included a questionnaire with similar queries to the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak urinary flow rates (uroflowmeter), postvoid residual urine volume (ultrasound), prostate volume (ultrasound), serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), and serum creatinine. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, hypertension, diabetes, leukocyte esterase positive (possible urinary tract infection), and smoking, chronic kidney disease [serum creatinine > or =133 micromol/L (1.5 mg/dL)] was associated with diminished peak urinary flow rate (<15 mL/sec) by an odds ratio (OR) = 2.96 (95% CI 1.30-7.01), moderate-severe lower urinary tract symptoms (IPSS >7) by an OR = 2.91 (95% CI 1.32-6.62), and chronic urinary retention (postvoid residual >100 mL) by an OR = 2.28 (95% CI 0.66-6.68). There was no association with a prostate volume >30 mL by an OR = 0.56 (95% CI 0.22-1.37) or PSA >1.4 ng/mL by an OR = 1.17 (95% CI 0.47-2.81). CONCLUSION: There was a cross-sectional association between signs and symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction and chronic kidney disease in community-dwelling men. Prostatic enlargement was not associated with chronic kidney disease.     

Chronic urinary retention in men: How we define it,and how does it affect treatment outcome

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Chronic urinary retention (CUR) is a poorly defined entity, as the key element of definition, significant postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), has not a worldwide and moreover evidenced‐based definition. There is no agreement on which is the threshold value to define a significant PVR and different society produced guidelines with different thresholds ranging from 300 mL to 1000 mL. Diagnosis is difficult, and management has not been defined yet. There is a lack of studies on the best management of these patients, as this group of patients has always been considered at high risk of failure. Only one study compares conservative with the surgical management but it is not a randomised controlled trail. This review offers a systematic appraisal of the most recent publications on CUR. It indicates the absence of a real worldwide agreed definition, as the two keys element of it are not satisfactorily defined yet: significant PVR, is suffering from a lack of evidenced‐based definition, and percussable or palpable bladder is a very nebulous concept as it is not a criteria of certainty as different individual variables affect it. This has an important effect on management which is not structured. Most of the trials involving benign prostatic hyperplasia treatments (either medical or surgical) tend to exclude this group of patients, which is a clinically important group, comprising up to a quarter of men undergoing TURP in the UK. Urinary retention describes a bladder that does not empty completely or does not empty at all. Historically, urinary retention has been classified as either acute or chronic the latter is generally classified as high pressure or low pressure according to the bladder filling pressure on urodynamic. A MEDLINE® search for articles written in English and published before January 2010 was done using a list of terms related to urinary retention: ‘urinary retention’, ‘chronic urinary retention’ and ‘PVR’. Chronic urinary retention (CUR) is defined by the International Continence Society as ‘a non‐painful bladder, which remains palpable or percussable after the patient has passed urine’. Abrams was the first to choose a residual urine volume >300 mL to define CUR as he considered it the minimum volume at which the bladder becomes palpable suprapubically. The UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) guidelines define CUR as a postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) of >1000 mL. No studies have specifically addressed the problem of quantifying the minimum amount of urine present in the bladder to define CUR. Nor did we find any publications objectively assessing at what amount of urine a bladder can be palpable. The ability to feel a bladder may rely on variables (i.e. medical skills and patient habitus). There is a marked variability of PVR, so the test should be repeated to improve precision. As defining CUR is difficult, structured management is challenging. Nearly all prospective trials exclude men with CUR from analysis, possibly anticipating a poor outcome and a high risk of complications. However, men with CUR are a clinically important group, comprising up to 25% of men undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate. Definition of CUR is imprecise and arbitrary. Most studies seem to describe the condition as either a PVR of >300 mL in men who are voiding, or >1000 mL in men who are unable to void. This confusion leads to an inability to design and interpret studies; indeed most prospective trials simply exclude these patients. There is a clear need for internationally accepted definitions of retention to allow both treatment and reporting of outcomes in men with LUTS, and for such definitions to be used by all investigators in future trials.     

Can transabdominal ultrasound estimation of postvoiding residual (PVR) replace catheterization?

In 81 outpatients the postvoiding residual urine (PVR) using real-time B-mode ultrasonography (3.5 MHz transducer) was measured. For the calculation of the bladder volume the formula for an ellipsoid (V = 4/3 pi X r1 X r2 X r3) was found to be most accurate in predicting the actual volume measured by in-and-out catheterization (r = 0.982). Other volume formulas, using only one diameter of the bladder, were found to be much less accurate. For any arbitrary value of PVR, used in determining clinical management, the incidence of misjudgment by ultrasound was negligibly low. We conclude, that sonographic measurement of the PVR as a quick, noninvasive method, should replace catheterization, if the basic equipment is available. Additional information, e.g., prostate size, bladder configuration, diverticula, etc., can be obtained during the procedure without additional costs or loss of time.     

Clinical diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: reliability of commonly measured parameters and the role of idiopathic detrusor overactivity

AIMS: There is no generally accepted consensus how to evaluate patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). We have tried to determine whether the most frequently used objective variables as prostate volume, IPS-score, maximum flow rate, residual urine volume, functional bladder capacity, and pressure-flow study are reliable for diagnosis of BOO and we investigated the influence of idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) on this condition. METHODS: A total of 153 men with LUTS and suspected BOO were systematically examined with routine investigation including digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), post-void residual urine volume measurement, uroflowmetry, and pressure-flow study. All patients completed IPS-score. Patients were divided into groups based on Sch?fer's grade of obstruction and incidence of IDO and clinical and urodynamical variables were compared. RESULTS: At baseline, 45.8% of the patients were urodynamically moderately obstructed and 37.9% were found to be severely obstructed. The grade of obstruction did not correlate with age. Prostate volume, post-void residual volume (PVR), and maximum flow rate correlated significantly with the degree of obstruction. The mean IPS-score remained almost unchanged throughout all obstruction groups. The incidence of IDO was 40.5% and increased from 16% in the minor obstruction group to 38.6% and 53.4% in the moderate and severe obstruction group, respectively. The patients with IDO were older, had larger prostates and were more obstructed. There was no impact of IDO on symptomatology of BOO. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that IPS-score does not achieve sufficient diagnostic accuracy and its role in the assessment of BOO is limited. The grade of obstruction is more related to prostate volume, PVR, and maximum flow rate. BOO and IDO seem to be related and have numerous mutual interactions.     

Efficacy and problems of bladder volume measurement using portable three dimensional ultrasound scanning device--in particular, on measuring bladder volume lower than 100ml

OBJECTIVES: Using a portable three dimensional ultrasound scanning device (The Bladder Scan BVI6100, Diagnostic Ultrasound Corporation), we examined measured values of bladder volume, especially focusing on volume lower than 100 ml. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients (male: 66, female: 34) were enrolled in the study. We made a comparison study between the measured value (the average of three measurements of bladder urine volume after a trial in male and female modes) using BVI6100, and the actual measured value of the sample obtained by urethral catheterization in each patient. We examined the factors which could increase the error rate. We also introduced the effective techniques to reduce measurement errors. RESULTS: The actual measured values in all patients correlated well with the average value of three measurements after a trial in a male mode of the BVI6100. The correlation coefficient was 0.887, the error rate was--4.6 +/- 24.5%, and the average coefficient of variation was 15.2. It was observed that the measurement result using the BVI6100 is influenced by patient side factors (extracted edges between bladder wall and urine, thickened bladder wall, irregular bladder wall, flattened rate of bladder, mistaking prostate for bladder in male, mistaking bladder for uterus in a female mode, etc.) or examiner side factors (angle between BVI and abdominal wall, compatibility between abdominal wall and ultrasound probe, controlling deflection while using probe, etc). CONCLUSIONS: When appropriate patients are chosen and proper measurement is performed, BVI6100 provides significantly higher accuracy in determining bladder volume, compared with existing abdominal ultrasound methods. BVI6100 is a convenient and extremely effective device also for the measurement of bladder urine over 100 ml.     

Age-stratified normal values for prostate volume, PSA, maximum urinary flow rate, IPSS, and other LUTS/BPH indicators in the German male community-dwelling population aged 50?years or older

Purpose

To establish age-stratified normal values for prostate volume, serum total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration, maximum urinary flow rate (Q _max), micturition and postvoid residual urine volumes, IPSS, and quality of life. These community-derived values of healthy older men are necessary to correctly judge patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH).

Methods

Analysis of LUTS/BPH-related determinants in community-dwelling men in the city of Herne, Germany after exclusion of subgroups with co-morbidities or co-medications with possible influence on the key items.

Results

The analysis is based on 1,763 participants. In these men aged 50?C80?years, mean total prostate volume continuously increased from 24 to 38?cc and mean PSA concentration from 1.1 to 2.5?ng/ml. PSA concentration in men with a prostate volume <25?cc also showed a continuous increase with aging, starting at 0.8 in the youngest and ending at 1.9?ng/ml in the oldest age group. Mean Q _max of free uroflowmetry (from 22.1 to 13.7?ml/s) and mean micturition volume (from 329 to 193?cc) showed a continuous decrease that was dependent on prostate size. Mean postvoid residual urine was nearly unchanged over the age groups at approximately 20?C30?cc. Although IPSS increased continuously with aging (from 4 to 7), QoL remained unchanged at 2 over the age groups. Prostate size had a minor impact on IPSS.

Conclusions

Normal values for investigated LUTS/BPH-related determinants and the influence of aging hereon should serve as references during the assessment of Caucasian patients in Europe.     

经尿道电气化前列腺切除治疗症状性良性前列腺增生症

目的 研究经尿道电气化前列腺切除术（ＴＶＰ）治疗症状性良性前列腺增生症的有效性,安全性和远期效果。方法 １９９５年９月－１９９８年８月,对１５０例症状性良性前列腺增生患者采用了经尿道电气化前列腺切除术的两种气化电极进行了治疗。本组平均年龄７４．８岁。术前本组均经国际症状评分,生活质量评分,肛门指诊,经直肠Ｂ超,尿动力学测定,剩余尿检查。     

Is the conservative management of chronic retention in men ever justified?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with large postvoid residual urine volumes (PVR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included men presenting with LUTS and a PVR of > 250 mL who, because of significant comorbidity, a low symptom score or patient request, were managed conservatively and prospectively, and were followed with symptom assessment, serum creatinine levels, flow rates and renal ultrasonography. Patients were actively managed if there was a history of previous outflow tract surgery, prostate cancer, urethral strictures, neuropathy, elevated creatinine or hydronephrosis. In all, 93 men (mean age 70 years, range 40-84) with a median (range) PVR of 363 mL (250-700) were included in the study and followed for 5 (3-10) years. At presentation, the median maximum flow rate was 10.2 (3-30) mL/s and the voided volume 316 (89-714) mL. RESULTS: The measured PVR remained stable in 47 (51%), reduced in 27 (29%) and increased in 19 (20%) patients; 31 patients (33%) went on to transurethral resection of the prostate after a median of 30 (10-120) months, because of serum creatinine elevation (two), acute retention (seven), increasing PVR (eight) and worsening symptoms (14). Of 31 patients 25 were available for evaluation after surgery; their median PVR was 159 (0-1000) mL, flow rate 18.4 (4-37) mL/s and voided volume 321 (90-653) mL. Symptoms were improved in all but five men. There was no difference in initial flow rate, voided volume or PVR between those who developed complications or went on to surgery and those who did not. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occurred in five patients and two developed bladder stones. CONCLUSIONS: Complications such as renal failure, acute retention and UTIs are uncommon in men with large, chronic PVRs. Conservative management for this group of patients is reasonable but outpatient review is prudent. There were no factors that could be used to predict those patients who eventually required surgery.