Persistent cloaca presenting with persistent massive fetal ascites resulting from severely compromised urinary function.
Persistent cloaca (PC) is a rare abnormality characterized by a direct communication between the gastrointestinal, urinary and genital structures. We report a case of PC presenting with persistent massive fetal ascites. Postpartum examination demonstrated a long and narrow common channel of PC. Fetal ascites is caused by urinary drainage through the fallopian tubes into the abdominal cavity. Usually it occurs temporarily and disappears with the subsequent development of intrapelvic cysts. A long and narrow common channel of PC has been found to contribute to the persistent ascites.
Motoi
Mukai
M
Division of Neonatology, Perinatal Medical Center, Kagoshima, Japan. mukai2929@yahoo.co.jp
Satoshi
Ibara
I
Takatsugu
Maeda
M
Masato
Kamitomo
K
Yuko
Maruyama
M
Takuya
Tokuhisa
T
Yuka
Fujie
F
Yusuke
Nakazawa
N
Takeshi
Utsunomiya
U
Kenji
Sumi
S
Tatsuo
Ohshiro
O
Tetsuo
Ono
O
Hiroyuki
Noguchi
N
Seiro
Machigashira
M