Residual urine determination
A healthy bladder is completely emptied during urination. However, various bladder disorders can lead to the bladder no longer emptying completely during urination, leaving behind what is known as residual urine. The cause of residual urine is either neurological, e.g. due to spinal cord injuries or diseases of the nervous system, or due to mechanical drainage disorders in men. The most common diseases that lead to increased residual urine are prostate enlargement (men), urethral strictures, and nerve disorders of the bladder (neurogenic bladder emptying disorders).
The determination of residual urine is an important urological examination to prevent possible chronic bladder diseases. Residual urine can lead to various health problems, including urinary tract infections, bladder and kidney infections as well as overstretching and slackening of the bladder muscle. Residual urine can also promote the formation of urinary stones and the risk of kidney failure or chronic kidney damage.
Residual urine determination involves measurement of the urine that remains in the bladder after urination. This is done using sonographic imaging (ultrasound) to determine the exact amount of residual urine and draw conclusions about possible bladder dysfunction.
The residual urine test is carried out using ultrasound immediately after urination. The patient is asked to urinate normally, without straining particularly hard. The doctor then places the ultrasound probe on the lower abdomen and measures the residual urine on the monitor screen. The examination is neither unpleasant nor painful.
Summary
The determination of residual urine is an important diagnostic method in urology. It helps to identify and treat the causes and consequences of residual urine. By precisely measuring residual urine, chronic bladder diseases can be recognized at an early stage and appropriate therapeutic measures can be initiated.