Patent urachus complicating pregnancy: a review and report of a case

A congenital abnormality of the urachus is extremely rare in pregnancy. We reviewed the English literature since 1877 and found only 12 case reports of urachal complications during pregnancy. Eight patients developed complications from a urachal cyst or sinus, and four patients had a patent urachus with urinary fistula. We report an additional case of a patent urachus which uniquely presented for the first time during pregnancy with urinary drainage from the umbilicus. Urodynamic changes in pregnancy which may have produced this complication are discussed. Abdominal wall ultrasonography is extremely helpful in the diagnostic evaluation of suspected urachal tract complications during pregnancy.