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umbilical cord cysts

Monday 13 March 2006

Epidemiology

The prevalence of umbilical cord cysts at 7-13 weeks’ gestation is approximately 3%.

Associations

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.

Physiopathology

Umbilical cord cysts develop from the partial or complete absence of obliteration of the allantois or omphalo-mesenteric duct.

Prenatal differential diagnosis

- umbilical pseudocysts (degeneration of Wharton jelly)
- omphalo-mesenteric duct cysts
- umbilical vascular anomalies
- abdominal wall defects
- bladder exstrophy
- urachal anomalies
- congenital patent urachus

Differential diagnosis

- umbilical cord pseudocyst

See also

- Umbilical cord
- Cysts