In utero urinary bladder rupture: a case report

We report a case of foetal urinary bladder rupture due to posterior urethral valves. A megacystis was diagnosed in a male foetus during routine second trimester ultrasound examination. The diagnosis of bladder rupture was made as, one week later, the bladder became undetectable with the appearance of ascites. During the follow-up, no oligohydramnios developed and intercurrent ascites resolved spontaneously. There are three described mechanisms releasing bladder hyperpressure: bladder diverticles, unilateral vesicoureteral reflux and bladder rupture. In this case, another mechanism might be involved: a patent urachus. The urethral valves were resected and no other surgical treatment was needed. The renal function remained normal. No long-term vesical follow-up of this pathology is available in the literature.