Pseudotumors of the umbilical cord and fetal membranes

Antenatally diagnosed pseudotumors, i.e. non-neoplastic tumors, of the umbilical cord and fetal membranes may when scanned by ultrasound have an appearance leading to misdiagnosis. In the present cases, a hematoma in the fetal membranes was interpreted as a chorioangioma, and a cystic mass inside the umbilical cord caused by degeneration of Wharton's jelly was regarded as an omphalomesenteric or allantoic cyst. The two cases are presented. Color Doppler evaluation seems advisable.