The role of shear wave ultrasound elastography in the diagnosis and assessment of patients with neurogenic bladder

Abstract Background Upper urinary tract damage is a danger in patients having neurogenic bladders that cause higher storage pressure due to hypocompliance. Urodynamics is currently regarded as the gold standard for assessing bladder function. However, it is an uncomfortable and invasive investigation that requires catheterization, increasing the chance of infection of the urinary tract. Shear wave elastography (SWE) using acoustic force radiation impulses examination is a non-intrusive ultrasound (US) method that could identify tissue stiffness. Results The study included 20 patients having neurogenic bladder and 20 healthy people as a control group for SWE. Following clinical evaluation and urodynamics in urology department to measure compliance and detrusor pressure (Pdet) in cmH2O, ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) on the anterior bladder wall was done, and mean shear wave speed (SWS) was calculated (m/s). The relationship between SWS and Pdet was estimated using Mann–Whitney U test. For comparing mean SWS among research groups, the Chi2 test was utilized. Pdet and mean SWS for urinary bladder anterior wall appeared significantly related, a p value less than 0.001 while r = 0.79, as shown by the correlation matrix. Mean SWS readings were significantly higher among cases compared to controls (2.6 ± 0.7 m/s versus 1.3 ± 0.2, p value less than 0.001 and cutoff point 1.67 m/sec. Conclusion SWE is a promising noninvasive highly sensitive modality in evaluation of neurogenic bladders .