Cloacal dysgenesis sequence in a set of twins: new insights into embryology and a review of the literature

Cloacal dysgenesis sequence with bilateral renal agenesis and normal pulmonary development in twin pregnancy

Cloacal dysgenesis sequence (CDS) is a rare congenital anomaly. It is characterised by a smooth perineum with absence of anal and genitourinary orifices, with reported incidence of 1:50,000-250,000 births. Association with bilateral renal agenesis is still rarer and resultant severe oligohydramnios is associated with pulmonary hypoplasia. Only a few cases of CDS with bilateral renal agenesis have been reported in the English language literature, with associated pulmonary hypoplasia as a default phenomenon. We report a case of CDS and bilateral renal agenesis without associated pulmonary hypoplasia in a twin pregnancy, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the second reported case of this amalgamation.

Long-term survival with cloacal dysgenesis sequence

Cloacal dysgenesis sequence (CDS) is a rare and lethal malformation. We report such a case of long-term survival, currently to 12 years of age. In the fetal period, she received a timely placement of vesico-amniotic shunt for a megabladder due to a severe urethral obstruction. Postnatally, cystostomy and colostomy were created because of no perineal opening of urethra, vagina, and anus. Anorectoplasty, construction of efferent conduit, and colostomy closure were performed at 4 years of age. Ileovaginoplasty and ileovesicostomy which was a Mitrofanoff-type of conduit, and labioplasty were performed at the age of 11 years. To the best of our knowledge, only five survivors with CDS over 1 year of age have been reported.