Bladder Scan

A bladder scan may be conducted after a urodynamic test (an evaluation of the flow rate of urine) in order to determine whether the bladder is emptying completely or retaining urine. The procedure is painless and involves a small amount of ultrasound gel being placed on the abdomen. An ultrasound probe is used to gather pictures of the bladder on a screen for closer examination. The entire procedure usually takes less than two minutes to complete. Your doctor may request this scan for a variety of reasons, including measuring the thickness of the bladder wall, looking for elevation of the bladder due to an enlarged prostate, and to check for stones.