The urachus revisited: multimodal imaging of benign & malignant urachal pathology

Br J Radiol. 2020 Jun;93(1110):20190118. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20190118. Epub 2020 Feb 20.

Abstract

The urachus is a fibrous tube extending from the umbilicus to the anterosuperior bladder dome that usually obliterates at week 12 of gestation, becoming the median umbilical ligament. Urachal pathology occurs when there is incomplete obliteration of this channel during foetal development, resulting in the formation of a urachal cyst, patent urachus, urachal sinus or urachal diverticulum. Patients with persistent urachal remnants may be asymptomatic or present with lower abdominal or urinary tract symptoms and can develop complications. The purpose of this review is to describe imaging features of urachal remnant pathology and potential benign and malignant complications on ultrasound, CT, positron emission tomography CT and MRI.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Abscess / etiology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Child
  • Female
  • Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medical Illustration
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography
  • Umbilicus / diagnostic imaging
  • Urachal Cyst / diagnostic imaging
  • Urachus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Urinary Bladder Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Young Adult