title: Prenatal diagnosis of urinary ascites in a fetus with meningomyelocele.
abstract: Fetal or neonatal urinary ascites is a rare phenomenon, particularly when secondary to rupture of a neuropathic bladder in a fetus with meningomyelocele. To date, all similar cases have only been diagnosed in the neonatal period. We report a case of urinary ascites secondary to rupture of a neuropathic bladder, which was successfully diagnosed via fetal paracentesis at 37 weeks. The infant was delivered by elective cesarean section and managed immediately with therapeutic paracentesis and bladder catheterization. Voiding cystourethrogram on the fifth day of life showed the bladder had spontaneously healed. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention for bladder complications diagnosed in utero may prevent or minimize adverse consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sloane Hospital for Women, Columbia University Medical Center of NY-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Moeun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Colin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Laxmi V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Baxi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019152:Paracentesis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging