title: Persistent cloaca: are we ready for a correct prenatal diagnosis?
abstract: Cloacal malformations are rare and can present in variable aspects. The importance of ultrasound in detecting these anomalies is well known. Sonographic features vary in accordance with the type of malformation and the gestational age. A positive diagnosis is not possible because of the lack of specific ultrasound findings, which can show similar aspects to other abnormalities. We present 3 cases of prenatal diagnosis of this malformation, emphasizing that in the presence of a plurilobed cystic pelvic fetal mass with associated malformations, such as cardiac, renal, and vertebral anomalies, a persistent cloaca can reasonably be suspected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaccara
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gatti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silveri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rivosecchi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bilancioni
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Spina
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giorlandino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Gennaro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bagolan
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D002988:Cloaca / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004065:Digestive System Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005835:Genitalia / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities; D011247:Pregnancy; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal