Prenatal diagnosis of omphalocele associated with umbilical cord cyst

Umbilical cord cysts: Classification, diagnosis, prognosis, and pregnancy recommendations

Umbilical cord cysts (UCCs)-cysts located in the umbilical cord that are derived from an abnormal embryonic development process-are typically an incidental discovery during prenatal ultrasound. It can be described as either a pseudocyst or a true UCC, which results from focal edema or degeneration of Wharton jelly or the remnants of embryonic development, respectively. Due to the relative rarity of the UCC, the clinical guidance of UCCs is not yet available. Herein, the aim of this paper is to discuss the classification, diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical management of UCCs through a literature review, in order to improve the understanding of UCCs among clinical obstetricians and pediatricians.

Fetal umbilical cord cyst may evolve to omphalocele during pregnancy

Omphalocele is rarely complicated by umbilical cord cysts. In our case, an umbilical cord cyst and fetal ascites were detected at 26 weeks' gestation in a fetus with trisomy 13. This changed to omphalocele with subsequently absorbed fetal ascites at 35 weeks' gestation. We propose two hypotheses. The abdominal wall may have been physically pierced or an omphalocele might have preexisted, and the intestinal tract in the hernia sac was pushed by fetal ascites.

Prenatal diagnosis of OEIS (omphalocele, bladder exstrophy, imperforate anus, clubfeet) variant associated with increased nuchal translucency and OEIS complex with ambiguous genitalia associated with corrected transposition of the great arteries: case series and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

The OEIS complex refers to a combination of defects consisting in omphalocele, bladder exstrophy, imperforate anus and spinal defects and represents a rare nosologic entity (from 1:200,000 to 1:400,000 pregnancies). The defect probably occurs in early blastogenesis or in mesodermal migration during the primitive streak period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two cases of OEIS complex diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound are reported. The medical record regarding differential diagnosis, associated anomalies, treatment and prognosis has also been sought and reported.

CONCLUSION

Differential diagnosis with exstrophy-epispadias complex and/or cloacalexstrophy complex may be difficult antenatally by means of ultrasound. However, color Doppler has been proved to aid the diagnosis of bladder exstrophy by depicting the urine flow in direct communication with the abdominal cavity and has been useful in showing the course of the perivesical umbilical arteries. Prenatal 3D ultrasound with tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) and antenatal MR imaging might be useful adjuncts to conventional 2D scan in aiding the prenatal diagnosis of such malformation.

Large pseudocyst of the umbilical cord detected in the second trimester

We present a case of a large umbilical cord cyst detected at 21 weeks of gestation. Serial ultrasonographic examination revealed a single umbilical artery and progression of the cystic mass. A 2,842-g male infant was delivered at 37 weeks of gestation, and we confirmed that the umbilical cord cyst was a pseudocyst in our pathological examination. This case demonstrated an uneventful course of pregnancy despite the large umbilical cord pseudocyst.

Umbilical cord cysts in the second and third trimesters: significance and prenatal approach

OBJECTIVES

This study was carried out to determine the prognosis, and the clinical approach, in fetuses with umbilical cord cysts, during the second and third trimesters of gestation, according to our experience and data in the current literature.

METHODS

We identified 10 fetuses with umbilical cord cysts that were diagnosed during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy at three referral centers. All underwent detailed ultrasound evaluation at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up. Prenatal karyotype testing was offered to all women. A MEDLINE review of the literature published from 1980 to 2009 was carried out to identify previous studies and case reports of fetuses with umbilical cord cysts.

RESULTS

In our series of 10 cases, significant additional abnormalities were observed in two during a detailed sonogram. In one case, trisomy 18 was diagnosed, leading to pregnancy termination, and in the other case a neonate with heart defects and a normal karyotype was born. These results differ from those reported in the literature, in which the association between second- and third-trimester umbilical cord cysts and fetal anomalies ranged from 38 to 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, as in other publications, an association was found between the presence of second- and third-trimester umbilical cord cysts and fetal anomalies. The strong association between second- and third-trimester umbilical cord cysts and aneuploidy in the literature seems to be biased, mainly because of the tendency to report abnormal cases. When these findings are accompanied by additional sonographic abnormalities, the association with aneuploidy is clear and should be an indication for fetal karyotype testing.

Allantoic cyst and patent urachus

Allantoic cysts of the umbilical cord are extremely rare anomalies. Only few cases have been reported in the postnatal life. The etiopathogenesis is still obscure. We describe a case of allantoic cyst and patent urachus in a newborn associated with hypospadias and meatal obstruction. We also present the review of literature regarding this entity, embryology and etiopathogenesis.

Prenatal discovery of an omphalocele associated with an inner umbilical cord Meckel's diverticulum

The antenatal discovery of Meckel's diverticulum is a rare occurrence; the localization of both Meckel's diverticulum and omphalocele in the umbilical cord has never been described. We present herein a prenatal case of an omphalocele associated with inner umbilical cord dilated Meckel's diverticulum. An umbilical cord cyst was suspected with the cystic image seen during the first trimester exam, and sonography was repeated every month. Several possible diagnoses were discussed including umbilical cord cyst, omphalocele and umbilical cord hernia due to the changing sonographic images during pregnancy. Childbirth had to be arranged at a specialized center. After birth, clamping of the umbilical cord away from the base prevented iatrogenic atresia of the ileum. Surgical treatment had to be arranged during the first days of life.

Omphalomesenteric duct cyst as a content of omphalocele

A rare occurrence of an omphalomesenteric duct cyst in an exomphalos minor sac is reported herein. The noteworthy points in this case were an unusual presentation of the rarest variety of umbilical cord cyst. The tapering intra-abdominal end of the cyst was found to be attached to the ileal mesentry, thereby simulating a herniating mesenteric cyst till the histolopathological report resolved the issue.

Chromosomal Abnormalities Associated With Omphalocele

Fetuses with omphalocele have an increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities. The risk varies with maternal age, gestational age at diagnosis, association with umbilical cord cysts, complexity of associated anomalies, and the contents of omphalocele. There is considerable evidence that genetics contributes to the etiology of omphalocele. This article provides an overview of chromosomal abnormalities associated with omphalocele and a comprehensive review of associated full aneuploidy such as trisomy 18, trisomy 13, triploidy, trisomy 21, 45,X, 47,XXY, and 47,XXX, partial aneuploidy such as dup (3q), dup (11p), inv (11), dup (1q), del (1q), dup (4q), dup (5p), dup (6q), del (9p), dup (15q), dup(17q), Pallister-Killian syndrome with mosaic tetrasomy 12p and Miller-Dieker lissencephaly syndrome with deletion of 17p13.3, and uniparental disomy (UPD) such as UPD 11 and UPD 14. Omphalocele is a prominent marker for chromosomal abnormalities. Perinatal identification of omphalocele should alert chromosomal abnormalities and familial unbalanced translocations, and prompt thorough cytogenetic investigations and genetic counseling.

Characteristics and outcome of 90 cases of fetal omphalocele

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the outcome of a case series of fetuses with omphalocele.

METHODS

Ninety fetuses with omphalocele at the National Center for Fetal Medicine (NCFM) between January 1985 and January 2004 were followed from the time of prenatal diagnosis. Follow-up times ranged from 6 months to 17 years. Omphaloceles were subdivided into epigastric, central and hypogastric types based on their location on the abdominal wall.

RESULTS

There were 58 central and 32 epigastric omphaloceles. Abnormal karyotype was found in 40/58 (69%) of the central and in 4/32 (12.5%) of the epigastric omphaloceles. Trisomy 18 was the most frequent abnormality associated with omphalocele. Among the fetuses with normal karyotype, 89% of the central and 71% of the epigastric cases had other anomalies. 38 (66%) of the fetuses with central omphalocele were terminated and 12 (21%) died during pregnancy or after delivery. 11 (34%) of the fetuses with epigastric omphalocele were terminated and eight (25%) died during pregnancy or after delivery. Of the 90 cases followed from the time of diagnosis there were 21 (23%) survivals. Of eight survivals with central omphalocele, only two were considered healthy while six had other anomalies and/or substantially impaired development. Of 13 survivals with epigastric omphalocele, six were considered healthy and seven had other anomalies and/or substantial impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

Fetal central and epigastric omphaloceles may be different entities: central omphaloceles are more strongly associated with abnormal karyotype (69%) than are epigastric omphaloceles (12.5%). The outcome of fetuses with omphalocele is poor irrespective of the type of omphalocele, with only eight of the 90 (9%) being alive and healthy at present. The results emphasize the importance of identifying both those fetuses with a potentially good prognosis and favorable outcome and those which are likely to have a fatal outcome.

Omphalocele associated with a large multilobular umbilical cord pseudocyst

The prevalence of umbilical cord cysts at 7-13 weeks' gestation is approximately 3%. More than 20% of such cases are complicated by structural defects and/or chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 18. These cysts usually have a single cavity and are <5 cm in size. Therefore, when an umbilical cord cyst is detected in the 2nd trimester, the examination of fetal karyotype is recommended. Omphaloceles are also well known to be complicated by many anomalies, especially trisomy 18. We report a case of an omphalocele associated with a large multilobular umbilical pseudocyst (diameter >5 cm) in a patient with a normal karyotype, 46XY. These anomalies were diagnosed by fetal ultrasonography. However, the cyst was difficult to diagnose as an umbilical cord pseudocyst because it was very large and multilobulated. At 38.5 weeks of gestation, the patient was delivered by Cesarean section. The cyst was resected, and the omphalocele was closed by staged surgeries. Pathologic diagnosis of the cyst was the degeneration of Wharton's jelly. This diagnosis was made by the absence of epithelial lining inside the cyst wall, since the existence of epithelial cells correlates with true cysts.

Umbilical cord allantoic cysts in a newborn with vacterl association

Allantoic cysts of umbilical cord are very rare. A preterm, low birth weight, male newborn with a new constellation of anomalies, allantoic duct cysts in the umbilical cord and associated perinatally lethal malformations of VACTERL sequence, is reported. In addition, the neonate also had duodenal atresia, patent urachus, obstructive uropathy and bifid scrotum. Association of Allantoic cysts with VACTERL sequence has not been described earlier.

Single and multiple umbilical cord cysts in early gestation: two different entities

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of single and multiple umbilical cord cysts in the first trimester and to assess whether there is a difference in the pregnancy outcome between them.

METHODS

A targeted sonographic morphological and morphometric evaluation of the umbilical cord was performed in consecutive patients between 7 and 14 weeks of gestation. Crown-rump length and umbilical cord diameter were measured in all cases. Nuchal translucency thickness was measured between 11 and 14 weeks' gestation. In pregnancies at very early gestational ages (7-10 weeks) an additional scan was performed between 11 and 14 weeks.

RESULTS

A total of 1159 patients was screened. The prevalence of umbilical cord cysts was 2.1% (24/1159). The cysts were single and multiple in 18 and six cases, respectively. The median (range) largest umbilical cord cyst diameter was no different between multiple and single umbilical cord cysts (3.8 (2.1-18) mm vs. 3.05 (2.0-7.8) mm; P = 0.386). All women with a single umbilical cord cyst delivered an infant without structural abnormalities and without features suggestive of chromosomal abnormalities. Among the women with multiple umbilical cord cysts, four had a missed miscarriage and one had a fetus with obstructive uropathy.

CONCLUSION

Single and multiple umbilical cord cysts in the first trimester of gestation represent two different entities. While single cysts in the first trimester are associated with a favorable pregnancy outcome, the presence of multiple umbilical cord cysts is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and aneuploidy.