Ultrasonically Guided Suprapubic Urinary Bladder Aspiration

Ultrasound has been used successfully to evaluate for the presence of urine within the urinary bladder prior to percutaneous suprapubic urinary bladder aspiration in 18 cases. When an echo-free zone indicating fluid was recorded, the skin was prepared using established techniques for suprapubic aspiration. A sterilized, specially modified ultrasonic transducer with a central lumen was then placed on the anterior abdominal wall above the pubis and a needle was directed into the urinary bladder. Continuous ultrasonic monitoring was provided by means of an echo produced at the needle tip. This allowed the exact location of the needle within the urinary bladder to be known at all times. With this technique, it was possible to avoid needling infants who had no urine in the bladder.