title: Persistent cloaca: a 10-year review of prenatal diagnosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to review antenatal sonographic findings in children born with persistent cloaca.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants (n =145) with persistent cloaca followed at a center for colorectal congenital anomalies were identified by a retrospective chart review. Fifty female infants with a persistent cloaca met inclusion criteria and had prenatal records and imaging studies available for review. Sonographic data were retrospectively abstracted from charts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anomalies were detected in 27 of 50 cases (54%). A correct antenatal diagnosis of persistent cloaca occurred in 3 of 50 (6%). Common findings misinterpreted on antenatal sonography include urinary tract anomalies, dilated bowel, and a cystic pelvic mass (representing hydrocolpos).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antenatal diagnosis of persistent cloaca is difficult. Persistent cloaca should be considered in the differential diagnosis if urinary tract malformations, dilated bowel loops, or cystic pelvic masses are visualized by prenatal diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, North Carolina 27834, USA. livingstonj@ecu.edu
authors.forename: Jeffrey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Livingston
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elicevik
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Breech
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Crombleholme
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peña
authors.forename: Marc A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Levitt
mesh_terms: D002988:Cloaca / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*