Ten years of experience with isolated urachal anomalies in children

The embryological and anatomical features of urachal anomalies have been well defined. Because of the variable clinical presentation, uniform guidelines for evaluation and treatment are lacking. In an attempt to establish a cost-effective approach leading to a favorable outcome, we reviewed the experience with urachal anomalies at a single institution in a 10-year period.

We reviewed the medical records and radiological studies of 12 boys and 9 girls newborn to 17 years old at presentation who were treated for a urachal anomaly. Diagnostic evaluation included voiding cystourethrography in 14 cases, ultrasound in 8, sinography in 7 and computerized tomography in 4.

The 4 variants of urachal anomalies included a urachal sinus in 9 patients (43%), urachal cyst in 9 (43%), patent urachus in 2 (10%) and urachal diverticulum in 1 (4%). Treatment involved initial excision in 13 cases (61%) and secondary excision in 8 (39%). Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant organism recovered.

Because of the variable presentation, the diagnosis of a urachal anomaly can be difficult. Our experience suggests that a cost-effective diagnostic approach can be developed based on the initial clinical evaluation. Whereas ultrasound is indicated when a urachal cyst or abscess is suspected on the initial study, sinography is the study of choice in the remainder of cases. A voiding cystourethrogram may not be required in view of the fact that none of the patients studied had an additional associated urinary tract anomaly.