title: Investigation and management of suspected urachal anomalies in children.
abstract: Urachal anomalies occur infrequently, but may be associated with morbidity, particularly when the diagnosis has been delayed. We retrospectively reviewed our institution's experience over a 10-year and 7-month period in the investigation and management of suspected urachal anomalies. There were 25 children between November 1995 and June 2006, who presented with a suspected urachal anomaly. The mean age was 12 months (range 3 days to 13 years); 14 were male. Presentations included granulomatous polyp (16), umbilical discharge (4), umbilical sepsis (2) and abdominal pain (2). One case was diagnosed incidentally during a renal ultrasound scan (US). The main investigative tool was US (10), followed by micturating cystourethrogram (2). Of the 25 children, 12 had a patent urachus confirmed by subsequent further imaging or surgery. Our review suggests that whilst clinical examination remains important in the management of a child presenting with a possible urachal pathology, in 36% of the cases the correct diagnosis was only made with further radiological imaging or at operation. Surgical excision was effective with no morbidity or mortality.
authors: Department of Academic Surgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
authors: B R
authors: BR
authors: Yapo
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Gerges
authors: A J A
authors: AJ
authors: Holland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014497:Urachus / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014567:Urography; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*