Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
09:04
Guide Wire Assisted Catheterization and Colored Dye Injection for Vascular Mapping of Monochorionic Twin Placentas
Published on: September 5, 2011
Dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy discordant for bladder exstrophy
William Tu1, Jane Chueh, William Kennedy
1Department of Urology, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. wtu1@stanford.edu
Advances in Urology
|September 16, 2009
Summary
Prenatal diagnosis of bladder exstrophy in twin pregnancies is challenging. Even with advanced imaging, distinguishing it from omphalocele late in gestation can be difficult.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Fetal Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Twin pregnancies present unique diagnostic challenges.
- Bladder exstrophy is a congenital anomaly requiring specialized care.
- Accurate prenatal diagnosis is crucial for optimal perinatal management.
Observation:
- A 38-year-old woman with a 32-week dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy was evaluated for a suspected abdominal wall mass in one fetus.
- Initial ultrasound suggested omphalocele, but the neonate presented with bladder exstrophy.
Findings:
- Prenatal ultrasound findings can be ambiguous in diagnosing bladder exstrophy, particularly in twin gestations.
- Late-gestation diagnosis of bladder exstrophy poses significant challenges, potentially mimicking other abdominal wall defects.
Implications:
- This case highlights the limitations of prenatal imaging in definitively diagnosing bladder exstrophy in complex twin pregnancies.
- Improved diagnostic criteria and imaging techniques are needed for accurate late-term prenatal assessment of fetal abdominal wall anomalies.
- Early and accurate diagnosis impacts surgical planning and neonatal outcomes for bladder exstrophy.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra
The lower urinary system consists of the urinary bladder and urethra, which are essential in storing and expelling urine from the body. Together with the internal and external sphincters, these structures work together to regulate urination effectively.Anatomy of the BladderThe urinary bladder is a muscular, stretchable organ behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. In females, the bladder is positioned anterior to the vagina and inferior to the uterus, while in males, it is located...
01:23Urinary Bladder
The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...