Measuring Bladder pressure

Q: Intra-abdominal pressure can be measured via all of the routes except? 

 A) intragastric 
B) intracolonic 
C) urinary bladder 
D) inferior vena cava (IVC) 
E) superior Vena Cava (SVC) 


Answer: E

The objective of the above question is to teach the pearl that: "any hollow viscus or a vascular structure inside the abdomen with a free moving membrane which can transduce pressure can measure intra-abdominal pressure".

There are other less known but available methods to measure intra-abdominal pressure beside intravesical (urinary bladder) pressure. But "bladder pressure" is the most non-invasive, easily available, reliable and easy to teach method.

SVC catheter can't measure intra-abdominal pressure as they are outside the abdomen.

#procedures


Reference:

1. Malbrain ML. Different techniques to measure intra-abdominal pressure (IAP): time for a critical re-appraisal. Intensive Care Med 2004; 30:357. 

2. Kirkpatrick AW, Roberts DJ, De Waele J, et al. Intra-abdominal hypertension and the abdominal compartment syndrome: updated consensus definitions and clinical practice guidelines from the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. Intensive Care Med 2013; 39:1190.