Related Experiment Videos
Umbilical cord edema associated with patent urachus
M Schiesser1, O Lapaire, W Holzgreve
1Universitäts-Frauenklinik Basel, Basel, Switzerland. mschiesser@uhbs.ch
Summary
Prenatal ultrasound detected umbilical cord edema and pseudocysts, linked to a patent urachus. Definitive diagnosis remains challenging, impacting prenatal surveillance and birth management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Fetal Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Umbilical cord anomalies are detectable via prenatal ultrasound, but definitive diagnosis can be difficult.
- Wharton's jelly edema and pseudocyst formation are rare umbilical cord abnormalities.
- Patent urachus is a congenital anomaly that can have associated findings.
Observation:
- A case of increasing Wharton's jelly edema and pseudocyst formation in the umbilical cord was observed.
- These findings were associated with a patent urachus.
- Abnormalities were first detected via ultrasound at 14 weeks of gestation.
Findings:
- The study highlights the challenges in definitively diagnosing complex umbilical cord anomalies prenatally.
- Patent urachus can manifest with unusual umbilical cord pathology.
- Sequential ultrasound findings are key to monitoring progression.
Implications:
- Early and accurate diagnosis of umbilical cord anomalies is essential for appropriate fetal surveillance.
- Understanding the link between patent urachus and cord edema aids in differential diagnosis.
- This case informs obstetricians on managing pregnancies with complex cord findings.