Prenatally diagnosed patent urachus with bladder prolapse

Area of Science:

• Fetal Medicine
• Pediatric Surgery
• Urology

Background:

• Patent urachus is a congenital anomaly where the urachus, a fetal structure connecting the bladder to the umbilicus, fails to obliterate.
• Bladder prolapse is a rare complication associated with patent urachus.

Observation:

• Two cases of patent urachus with bladder prolapse are presented.
• Characteristic prenatal ultrasound finding: initial cystic mass at the umbilical cord base communicating with the bladder, followed by cyst disappearance and a solid mass bulge.

Findings:

• Prenatal diagnosis of patent urachus with bladder prolapse is possible through characteristic ultrasound findings.
• Neonatal examination confirmed mucosal protrusion and communication with the bladder.
• Post-surgical bladder function was good at school age.

Implications:

• Understanding urachal development is crucial for accurate prenatal diagnosis.
• Timely diagnosis enables immediate postnatal surgical intervention.
• Successful surgical correction preserves long-term bladder function.