OBJECTIVE: To identify measurements of ultrasonography (US)-derived bladder wall 
thickness (BWT) and bladder weight in community-dwelling men with presumably 
normal bladder function.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 100 male volunteers underwent transabdominal US 
measurements of BWT and bladder weight, using the BVM 9500 bladder scanner 
(Verathon Medical, Bothell, WA, USA), at a variety of bladder filling volumes. 
The data were explored for any correlation between measurements of BWT and 
US-estimated bladder weight (UEBW) with subject age, height, weight, body mass 
index (BMI), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Male Lower 
Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ M-LUTS) score, International Prostate Symptom Score 
(IPSS) and IPSS Quality of Life index (IPSS QoL).
RESULTS: Several statistically significant but weak correlations were observed: 
BWT and weight (r = 0.216, P = 0.032); BWT and BMI (r = 0.246, P = 0.014); UEBW 
and weight (r = 0.304, P = 0.002); and UEBW and BMI (r = 0.260, P = 0.009). 
Bladder filling volume appeared to have a greater effect on BWT than on UEBW, 
although this could not be determined accurately. There was a substantial 
difference in measurements of BWT and UEBW in the assessment of inter- and 
intra-observer reliability testing.
CONCLUSION: Further studies are required to validate automated measurements of 
BWT and UEBW and to investigate such measurements in the symptomatic and 
asymptomatic male population.