Fetal umbilical cord cyst may evolve to omphalocele during pregnancy

J Clin Ultrasound. 2020 Mar;48(3):181-183. doi: 10.1002/jcu.22786. Epub 2019 Nov 14.

Abstract

Omphalocele is rarely complicated by umbilical cord cysts. In our case, an umbilical cord cyst and fetal ascites were detected at 26 weeks' gestation in a fetus with trisomy 13. This changed to omphalocele with subsequently absorbed fetal ascites at 35 weeks' gestation. We propose two hypotheses. The abdominal wall may have been physically pierced or an omphalocele might have preexisted, and the intestinal tract in the hernia sac was pushed by fetal ascites.

Keywords: obstetrics; omphalocele; trisomy 13; ultrasonography; umbilical cord cyst.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Wall / diagnostic imaging
  • Abdominal Wall / pathology
  • Adult
  • Cleft Palate / diagnosis
  • Cysts / complications*
  • Cysts / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fetus / diagnostic imaging
  • Fetus / pathology
  • Fetus / surgery
  • Gestational Age
  • Hernia, Umbilical / etiology*
  • Hernia, Umbilical / surgery
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trisomy 13 Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*
  • Umbilical Cord / diagnostic imaging*
  • Umbilical Cord / pathology*