Fact-sheet: Urachal anomalies
Updated on 08/25/2020 at 4:52 PM
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Definition
The urachus is a fibrous cord extending from the bladder dome to the umbilical ring.
It is an embryonic remnant that develops from the allantois and the ventral portion of the cloaca.
The allantois gives rise to the umbilical vessels, and the cloaca gives rise to the bladder, rectum, and genital organs.
As the bladder migrates from the umbilical region down to the pelvis, the urachus elongates and closes.
This can result in persistent cysts, which may become superinfected, undergo malignant degeneration, fistulize to the skin, or rupture into the peritoneal cavity.
Ultrasound
- Heterogeneous anechoic retroumbilical and anterior mass.
- Perilesional hypoechoic infiltration.
CT
- Useful when ultrasound is inconclusive
(precise lesion assessment, postoperative follow-up)
Management
Surgical treatment.
Excision of the urachal remnant and omphalectomy.
