title: Prenatal diagnosis of cloacal malformation.
abstract: Persistent cloaca malformation is the most severe type of anorectal and urogenital malformation. Decisions concerning the surgical treatment for this condition are taken during the first hours of life and may determine the quality of life of these patients. Thus, prenatal diagnosis becomes important for a prompt and efficient management of the fetus and newborn, and accurate counseling of the parents regarding its consequences and the future of the baby. Careful evaluation by ultrasonography, and further in-depth analysis with MRI, allow prenatal detection of characteristic findings, which can lead to diagnose or at least suspect this condition. We reviewed our experience and the literature in order to highlight the most important clues that can guide the physician in the differential diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati Fetal Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 11025, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039. Electronic address: jose.peiro@cchmc.org.
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Peiro
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati Fetal Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 11025, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scorletti
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati Fetal Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 11025, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039.
authors.forename: Lourenco
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sbragia
mesh_terms: D002988:Cloaca / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Anorectal malformation; Cloaca; Cloacal malformation; MRI; Prenatal diagnosis; Ultrasound