Prenatal Detection of Vesico-Allantoic Cyst: Ultrasound and Autopsy Findings.

Introduction: The vesico-allantoic cyst is a communication between the fetal bladder and the allantois through a patent urachus.Case Report: We describe a 17-week of gestational age (WGA) fetus with a 40 x 30 mm vesico-allantoic cyst. At 19 WGA, ultrasound (US) detected bilateral dilatation of renal pelvis (5-6 mm), hydroureters, and hypospadias. Amniotic fluid, umbilical cord flow, and fetal biometry were regular. Due to uncertain prognosis, the parents opted for legal termination of pregnancy. Autopsy confirmed the prenatal findings, also revealing intestinal malrotation and Meckel's diverticulum.Discussion/Conclusion: Probably an initial urinary tract obstruction occurred, not yet affecting the amniotic fluid volume, but evident as pyelectasis. This case highlights the possibility that genito-urinary and intestinal anomalies may be found in association with the vesico-allantoic cyst.

Urachal remnants: from embryology to clinical practice.

The urachus is a tubular structure that is apparent on the third week and connects the ventral cloaca to the yolk sac, as a progression from the allantois. Following the normal regression procedure, the urachus remains as the median umbilical ligament. Urachal remnants are present in 1.03% of paediatric patients while in 92.5% of cases represent incidental findings. Urachal anomalies are classified in four types as patent urachus (50-52%), urachal sinus (15%), urachal cyst (30%) and urachal diverticulum (3-5%). Ultrasound scan is the most commonly performed diagnostic imaging study. In case of symptomatic urachal remnants, surgical excision is indicated. Asymptomatic urachal remnants that are diagnosed at the neonatal period or early infancy should be watched up to 6 months of age, as they are likely to resolve. In persistent or symptomatic urachal remnants there is a risk of inflammation or even malignancy development, therefore we believe that there is indication for preventive surgical excision that may be performed either open or laparoscopically or by robot-assisted laparoscopy.

Urachal Pathology: Review of Cases.

INTRODUCTION: The urachus is an embryologic remnant which is formed from the obliteration of the allantois. Urachal abnormalities are caused when defective obliteration of the urachus happens. They are an infrequent condition. Incidence is estimated to be between 5,000 and 8,000 live births. Its diagnosis and management remain a challenge due to the lack of an specific clinical picture and the controversy about the management. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the clinical presentation, diagnosis, therapeutic management, and outcomes of urachal anomalies in our health area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all cases of urachal anomalies recorded Tenerife (southern health area), La Gomera, and El Hierro Islands during a 5 year period. RESULTS: Twenty-three cases of urachal pathology were included. The mean age of presentation was 32 years old. 73.9% were male. 65% were diagnosed in adults. In 30.3% of the cases, it was a casual finding. Symptoms included fever, umbilical exudate, hematuria, abdominal pain, and umbilical granuloma. The main diagnostic tests were ultrasound and computed tomography scan. Treatments were selected conservative management (43.5%), selective resection, partial cystectomy, and radical cystectomy. All patients had a good evolution. However, 2 cases where benign tumors were suspected, clinically, had a final histology of cancer in the specimen. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the lack of a specific clinical picture and undefined findings in image tools, diagnosis is difficult and it may be inaccurate. Despite more data are needed, our results suggest that the systematic excision of urachal lesions could result in safer outcomes since cases where a benign lesion is clinically suspected might result in malignant tumors.

Current management of the urachal anomalies (UA). Lessons learned from the clinical practice.

PURPOSE: It has been suggested that symptomatic UA requires surgical excision. However, the management of asymptomatic urachus is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation, the efficacy of current modalities used, and postoperative pathology in patients with UA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have performed a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with UA and treated surgically or conservatively over 18 years. Demographic data, clinical presentation, imaging modalities, pathology, treatment, and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-five symptomatic patients (18 males and seven females) with a median age of 13 years (1 month to 37 years) were identified. 15 (60%) were diagnosed with a urachal cyst, 4 (16%) with sinus, 3 (12%) with urachal diverticulum, and the remaining 3 (12%) with patent urachus. Of those, 20 (80%) underwent surgical repair, and the remaining five (20%) patients were managed conservatively. 4 (20%) underwent laparotomy, 7 (35%) laparoscopic incision, and the remaining 9 (45%) laparoscopic robotic-assisted surgery. Nine patients required bladder cuff excision. The median operative time was 75 min (42-140 min). One patient developed Clavien-Dindo grade IIIA complication resulting in infected hematoma, which resolved after drainage. Another patient with a complication of grade IIIB needed reoperation as a result of recurrent events of an abscess. 13 (65%) demonstrated epithelium lining of the urachus on postoperative pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that most of the patients with UA presented with epithelial lining, which might lead to the later malignant transformation. It might cause a shift from the conservative management of asymptomatic patients to surgical intervention. Robotic-assisted surgery appears beneficial in these patients, especially when the bladder cuff excision is required.

Prenatally Ruptured Patent Urachus: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Patent urachus is a type of urachal anomaly in which the urachus does not tail off but remains connected to the bladder in the umbilicus. The prevalence of patent urachus is very low. Herein, we report a case of patent urachus ruptured and exposed to amniotic fluid in utero. In this case, the size decreased after the second trimester, which was thought to be due to rupture in utero. After delivery, patent urachus was confirmed by inserting a foley catheter, which runs through a ruptured cyst on umbilical cord insertion. The day after delivery, the neonate underwent surgical excision of the urachal cyst and closing umbilicus. The mechanism of patent urachus rupture is unknown. As the fetus matures, it is thought that the higher intravesical pressure may affect the rupture of the cyst. Patent urachus could be ruptured in the uterus spontaneously, and surgical correction is needed. Therefore, prenatal differential diagnosis is important.

Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery for Urachal Remnants: A Single-Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Urachal remnants are relatively rare. Generally, urachal remnants are detected in young people, and the removed specimen is small, comprising a good indication for laparoscopic surgery. Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) for urachal remnants is considered to be safe and result in an excellent cosmetic outcome. Therefore, we report our single-center experience with LESS for urachal remnants. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients with urachal remnants who underwent LESS from January 2011 to December 2017. The patients' characteristics, surgical data, postoperative pain, and cosmetic assessment results were retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Mean total operative time was 151 min, mean pneumoperitoneal surgery time was 83 min, and mean estimated blood loss was 5.0 mL. All patients were started on an oral diet and began ambulating on postoperative day 1. Mean hospital stay was 5.5 days. LESS was completed successfully in all patients, with no conversion to conventional or open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: LESS is a viable option for the surgical treatment of urachal remnants. This technique may result in less pain than conventional techniques. Further accumulation of surgical outcomes (especially regarding safety and cosmesis) is required for LESS to become an established treatment for urachal remnants.

Evaluation and management of urachal remnants in children.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric patients with urachal remnants. METHODS: Medical records of patients diagnosed with urachal remnants between 2015-2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Age, gender, admission complaints, diagnosis, size of cysts, the complications that developed, and treatment modalities were recorded. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 15 cases including seven girls. Most of the cases were asymptomatic. The urachal remnants were detected by ultrasonography. The most common symptom in symptomatic patients was abdominal pain and umbilical discharge. Three patients required surgery and most of them were conservatively followed up. Complication, infection, and bladder rupture were observed in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up of patients with urachal remnants can be performed conservatively. The type of complaint and the presence of clinical and radiological regression (if any) are important for deciding the treatment during the follow-up. However, conservative follow-up is more prominent today, as shown in this study.

Resection of urachal anomalies in dogs with recurrent lower urinary tract disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether surgical removal of urachal anomalies improves the outcomes of dogs with recurrent lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) and bacterial urinary tract infection (BUTI). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Thirty-three dogs with urachal anomalies and recurrent LUTD or BUTI. METHODS: Medical records of dogs with LUTD or BUTI and a diagnosis of urachal anomaly treated by partial cystectomy were reviewed. A minimum follow-up of 9 months was required for inclusion. RESULTS: Median age at onset of clinical signs was 12 months (range, 1 month to 10 years). Urachal anomalies were detected with histopathology in 20 of 28 (71%) dogs. At a median follow-up of 22 months (range, 9-114), 21 of 28 (64%) dogs were free of signs of LUTD. Nine (27%) dogs exhibited reduced signs of LUTD; in three (9%) dogs, no clinical improvement was observed. Among the 25 dogs with confirmed preoperative BUTI, 22 clinically improved with surgery. CONCLUSION: Partial cystectomy reduced the long-term severity of clinical signs and risk of recurrence of LUTD or BUTI in dogs with confirmed or suspected urachal anomalies. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Partial cystectomy should be considered as an adjunct to the treatment of LUTD and BUTI in dogs.

Prenatally diagnosed patent urachus with umbilical cord cyst and early surgical intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Description of rare diagnosis of patent urachus. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Faculty Hospital Motol Prague. CASE REPORT: Patent urachus is a rare diagnosis, which in this case was detected prenatally by ultrasound. Involution of the urachus is not fully completed upon birth, therefore in cases of small persisting communication between the urinary bladder and the umbilicus conservative approach and waiting for spontaneous closure is usually chosen. In our case surgery treatment has chosen as a prevention of urinary infection because of patent urachus manifested as a wide communication. CONCLUSION: This congenital defect usually manifests itself early after birth as a visible structural anomaly of the umbilicus and/or as urine leakage in the umbilicus opening area. It is important to keep in mind that urachus irregularities may be accompanied by other urinary system defects. Every child presenting with such an anomaly should therefore be thoroughly examined. If the procedure is performed by an experienced surgical team postoperative complications are uncommon and overall long-term prognosis for patients is excellent.

Robotic-Assisted Excision of a Urachal Diverticulum.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a combined robotic-assisted laparoscopic technique with concomitant cystoscopy use for excision of a urachal diverticulum to ensure complete resection of diverticulum and bladder cuff. DESIGN: Step-by-step demonstration and explanation of the procedure using video illustration. Institutional Review Board/Ethics Committee ruled that approval was not required for this case report; however, patient consent was obtained (Canadian Task Force Classification III). SETTING: Vesicourachal diverticula account for approximately 3% to 5% of congenital urachal anomalies. Although usually asymptomatic, the diverticulum may be associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infections, intraurachal stone formation, and an increased prevalence of carcinoma after puberty. When diverticula become symptomatic or infected, surgical management is warranted. PATIENT: A 68-year-old gravida 0 woman was evaluated with cystoscopy for recurrent culture-proven urinary tract infections. A suspected vesicourachal diverticulum was identified on cystoscopy, and the diagnosis was confirmed on computed tomography. She was counseled on management options and elected to undergo robotic-assisted excision of the urachal remnant with concomitant cystoscopy. INTERVENTION: After identifying the diverticulum both laparoscopically and on cystoscopy, the anterior peritoneum was incised to dissect the diverticulum off the anterior abdominal wall. The dissection was carried down to the level of the bladder dome, necessitating entry into the retropubic space of Retzius. A partial cystectomy was performed to ensure complete resection of the diverticulum. The bladder was repaired in 2 layers. Concurrent laparoscopy and cystoscopy allowed for assurance of watertight closure by retrograde filling of the bladder and observing laparoscopically. Although entered, the space of Retzius is an avascular potential space between the pubic symphysis and the bladder and does not necessitate closure. Surgery was performed successfully without intraoperative or postoperative complications. On final pathology, a benign urachal diverticulum was completely excised. The patient's presenting symptoms resolved postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted excision of a vesicourachal diverticulum with concomitant use of cystoscopy is a safe, effective, and efficient technique for successful, minimally invasive, management of symptomatic urachal diverticula.

Urachal Remnants in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Abdominal Pain.

BACKGROUND: Rare causes of abdominal pain include abnormalities of the urachus, including patent urachus and urachal cyst with or without infection. However, reviews discussing etiology of abdominal pain, even in children, may completely omit mention of urachal remnants. OBJECTIVES: Determine the incidence of symptomatic urachal remnants in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED), including common presenting findings and method of diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients presenting to the ED with abdominal pain who were diagnosed with urachal remnants, including patent urachus or urachal cyst or abscess over a period of 11 years and 7 months in one hospital. RESULTS: There were a total of 833,317 ED visits over the time period of the chart review, with 76,954 patients or 9.2% presenting with a complaint of abdominal pain. Twenty-four patients were identified, or 0.03% of those presenting with abdominal pain. Ages ranged from 16 days to 59 years. Among those 18 years or older, there was a male-to-female ratio of 1:1 of 14 patients. Thirteen patients (54.2%) initially presented with drainage from the umbilicus. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, symptomatic disorders of urachal remnants may present at any age. These disorders should be kept in mind by the emergency physician among the broad list of differential diagnoses accounting for abdominal pain. Urachal cyst and abscess may present with or without drainage from the umbilicus. Drainage from the umbilicus is highly suggestive, but not pathognomonic, of a urachal anomaly, and patients should be imaged to make a definite diagnosis and assist in the management plan.

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery for treatment of urachal remnants.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate safety and excellent cosmetic outcome with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS). In this study, we compared the usefulness and efficacy of LESS versus conventional laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of urachal remnants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 20 consecutive patients who underwent either conventional laparoscopic surgery or LESS from January 2007 to February 2015 at Kansai Medical University Hospital. Ten patients underwent surgery using the standard laparoscopic 3-port technique, and 10 patients underwent LESS. The patients included 12 males and 8 females (mean age, 24.5 years; range, 10-68 years). The patients' characteristics, surgical data, and postoperative pain assessment results were retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The median operative time, pneumoperitoneal surgery time, and estimated blood loss did not differ between the LESS and conventional laparoscopic groups. However, the total incision length was longer in the conventional laparoscopic group than in the LESS group. The degree of pain at 2 to 5 days postoperatively according to the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale was lower in the LESS group than in the conventional laparoscopic group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Less is a possible option in the surgical treatment for urachal remnants. In this very small cohort, there is no conversion to traditional laparoscopic surgery or open surgery. This technique is possibly feasible and may achieve less pain. Accumulation of surgical outcomes especially in safety and cosmesis is required to be an established method.

Imaging of the Urachus: Anomalies, Complications, and Mimics.

Urachal anomalies are more common than previously thought, with more cases discovered incidentally, because of the increased use of cross-sectional imaging. Although an abnormal persistence of an embryologic communication between the bladder and the umbilicus is often recognized and managed in childhood, it may persist into adulthood, with a greater risk of morbidity. Congenital urachal anomalies that are detected early can benefit from an optimized management including surgical approach with a complete resection of the urachal remnant in cases when spontaneous resolution or medical management has failed. At imaging, the different types of urachal anomalies have a distinct appearance. A patent urachus is recognized as an elongated patent connection between the bladder and the umbilicus. An umbilical-urachal sinus is depicted as a blind focal dilatation at the umbilical end, whereas a vesicourachal diverticulum is a focal outpouching at the vesical end. Urachal cysts are visualized as midline fluid-filled sacs most frequently located near the bladder dome. Complications of urachal anomalies have nonspecific clinical findings and can mimic other abdominal and pelvic processes. Potential complications, such as infection and tumors, should be recognized early to ensure optimal management. Understanding of the embryonic development of the urachus is necessary for the radiologist to diagnose the wide variety of urachal disease. ©RSNA, 2016.

Laparoscopic Surgery of Urachal Anomalies: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The traditional surgical approach to the excision of persistent urachal remnants is a lower midline laparotomy or semicircular infraumbilical incision. OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with laparoscopic/open urachus excision as a minimally invasive diagnostic and surgical technique. METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving patients who were diagnosed with persistent urachus and underwent laparoscopic/open excision. The morbidity, recovery, and outcomes of surgery were reviewed. RESULTS: Eight patients (males:females 6:2) with an age range of 1 month to 17 years underwent laparoscopic or open excision (six and two patients respectively). All patients presented with discharge from the umbilicus. Although three patients had no sonographic evidence of a patent urachus, diagnostic laparoscopy detected a patent urachus that was excised laparoscopically. The operative time of laparoscopic surgery ranged from 19 to 71 minutes (the last case was combined with bilateral laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair), and the mean duration of hospital stay was 2.0 ± 0.36 days. Pathological examination confirmed a benign urachal remnant in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is a useful alternative for the management of persistent or infected urachus, especially when its presence is clinically suspected despite the lack of sonographic evidence. The procedure is associated with low morbidity, although a small risk of bladder injury exists, particularly in cases of severe active inflammation.

Laparoscopic Evaluation of Umbilical Disorders in Calves.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a laparoscopic technique for evaluating umbilical disorders in calves, including feasibility, visualization of umbilical structures, and related complications. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Male calves (15 Holstein, 2 Montbeliard) with umbilical disorders (n=17). METHODS: Calves <2 months old with obvious umbilical disease were assessed by clinical examination and ultrasonography of the umbilical structures. Laparoscopic evaluation was performed in dorsal recumbency under subarachnoid lumbosacral anesthesia and sedation. An open insertion technique with short 60 mm cannulas was used after creating 2 portals 10 cm cranial to the umbilicus (one 5 cm left of midline for the laparoscope and one 5 cm right of midline as an instrument portal). After laparoscopy, abnormal tissues were resected by laparotomy during the same anesthetic period. RESULTS: Laparoscopic evaluation of umbilical structures was performed quickly (mean surgery time 7.1 ± 2.5 minutes). Umbilical structures could be completely visualized in all calves without intraoperative complications. In addition to abnormalities previously detected on ultrasound, laparoscopy enabled detection of adhesions 7 calves that were not suspected on ultrasound, as well as focal enlargements of the umbilical arteries and urachus close to the bladder in 5 calves. Laparoscopy failed to detect abnormalities observed with ultrasound or laparotomy in 4 calves, including small hernias and omphalitis. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic evaluation of umbilical structures was performed safely and quickly in young calves and allowed complete evaluation of intra-abdominal umbilical structures and may, therefore, be a useful adjunct to physical examination and ultrasound to fully assess the abdomen in calves.

A comprehensive review of pediatric urachal anomalies and predictive analysis for adult urachal adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: We examined the presentation, diagnosis and management of radiologically detected pediatric urachal anomalies and assessed the risk of malignant degeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our radiology database (2000 to 2012) was queried for all children younger than 18 years who were diagnosed with a urachal anomaly radiographically, and the operative database was used to determine those who underwent excision. Data collected included demographics, presenting symptoms, imaging modality and indication for excision. These data were compared to the Ontario Cancer Registry to determine the risk of malignancy. RESULTS: A total of 721 patients were radiographically diagnosed with a urachal anomaly (667 incidentally), yielding a prevalence of 1.03% of the general pediatric population. Diagnoses were urachal remnants (89% of cases), urachal cysts (9%) and patent urachus (1.5%). Ultrasonography was the most common imaging modality (92% of cases), followed by fluoroscopy/voiding cystourethrography (5%) and computerized tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (3%). A total of 61 patients (8.3%) underwent surgical excision. Indications for imaging and treatment were umbilical drainage (43% of patients), abdominal pain (28%), palpable mass (25%) and urinary tract infection (7%). Mean age at excision was 5.6 years and 64% of the patients were male. Based on provincial data, the number needed to be excised to prevent a single case of urachal adenocarcinoma was 5,721. CONCLUSIONS: Urachal anomalies are more common than previously reported. Children with asymptomatic lesions do not appear to benefit from prophylactic excision, as the risk of malignancy later in life is remote and a large number of urachal anomalies would need to be removed to prevent a single case of urachal adenocarcinoma.