Ann Clin Anat | Volume 3, Issue 1 | Review Article | Open Access

Congenital Urachal Anomalies: Embryology, Key Imaging Considerations and Management

Mansoor NM¹, Makin E², Huang D¹ and Haque S^2*

¹Department of Radiology, King’s College Hospital, UK
²Department of Pediatric Surgery, King’s College Hospital, UK

^*Correspondance to: Saira Haque 

Fulltext PDF

Abstract

Congenital urachal anomalies occur when the urachus, an embryologic structure arising from the allantois and urogenital sinus, fail to obliterate. The urachus is a tubular structure extending from the dome of the urinary bladder to the umbilicus. Partial or incomplete obliteration leads to various anomalies including patent urachus, umbilical-urachal sinus, and urachal cyst and vesicourachal diverticulum. These anomalies are uncommon and usually asymptomatic but can present with non-specific abdominal signs and symptoms. Here we describe the embryological and anatomical features of the different urachal anomalies as well as the relevant imaging findings to aid diagnosis and management.

Keywords:

Urachal anomalies; Patent urachus; Urachus cyst; Umbilical-urachal sinus; Vesicourachal diverticulum

Citation:

Mansoor NM, Makin E, Huang D, Haque S. Congenital Urachal Anomalies: Embryology, Key Imaging Considerations and Management. Ann Clin Anat. 2020;3(1):1010..