Cloacal malformations and exstrophy syndromes
Article Abstract:
Birth defects of the urogenital tract are divided into three related groups. The first of these groups is persistent cloaca. A cloaca is a common passageway for the urinary, digestive and reproductive ducts found in an embryo. As the embryo develops, it is normally replaced by more than one orifice. In persistent cloaca, only a single cloacal orifice is found. This defect leads to a number of problems in the urinary tract, bowels, kidneys, and reproductive system. Treatment of this disorder requires detailed imaging of the area involved so that urinary drainage, colonic diversion, and reconstruction and repair of the urogenital tract can take place. Both ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are useful imaging tools in this process. The second group of abnormalities is persistent urogenital sinus. This occurs when there is only one outlet for the urethra and the vagina. Obstruction of this outlet is common, and if the obstruction is severe, a pelvic mass forms. Varying degrees of abnormalities in the reproductive system are also found. The third group of abnormalities is exstrophy, when an organ or organs are turned inside out. It is most commonly seen in the bladder. Bladder exstrophy is characterized by an opening in the abdominal wall, with the front wall of the bladder missing and the rest of the bladder everted through the opening in the abdominal wall. Variations of this group include the lack of an anus, duplication of the bladder or vagina, or the anus being displaced forward. Congenital defects in other organ systems often accompany exstrophy. US can detect signs of this problem before the baby is born. These rare birth defects should be diagnosed as early as possible so that reconstructive surgery can be done promptly; the chance of normal functioning of the organs is good if appropriate surgery is performed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Radiology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0033-8419
Year: 1990
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Persistent right umbilical vein: an ominous prenatal finding?
Article Abstract:
Abnormalities in the umbilical veins are a rarity, but one is a persistent right umbilical vein which either replaces a normal left umbilical vein or is an addition to the two normal umbilical veins. Detection of this defect may be important because it may indicate other serious problems relating to fetal development. In this study, the cases were followed of six fetuses that had been identified from ultrasound scans as having a persistent right umbilical vein. Complete evaluation of the scans for any other abnormalities was performed with final diagnosis being established by clinical and other methods after delivery. The results showed that persistent right umbilical vein could be easily detected on the ultrasound scans. The vein is attached to the right portal vein instead of the left one. A portion of the vein is found on the side of the gallbladder. Three of the fetuses did not show other abnormalities upon close inspection of the scans. Two of these were born completely normal and one was born prematurely, but with no associated findings. The other three were born with a variety of problems that were mild to severe in nature. These results show that a persistent right umbilical vein can easily be detected by ultrasonography. Fetuses discovered to have this abnormality should be closely examined because it is often associated with the presence of other, often severe abnormalities. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Radiology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0033-8419
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
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