ANGIOMYXOMA OF THE UMBILICAL-CORD IN ONE TWIN WITH CYSTIC DEGENERATION OF WHARTONS JELLY - A CASE-REPORT

We report the prenatal diagnosis of an angiomyxoma of the umbilical co rd in a female fetus of a dizygotic twin pregnancy. The pregnant woman was hospitalized at 18 weeks for exclusion of a suspected exomphalos. Using high resolution ultrasound and color doppler, the umbilical tum or (8x5x4 cm) was suspected to be an angiomyxoma without malformations in the fetus. Neither chromosomal aberrations nor elevated alphafetop rotein were found after amniocentesis. Serial examinations showed an i ncrease in the size of the cystic mass without deterioration of the fe tal condition. Macroscopical and microscopical examinations of the tum or performed after delivery revealed an angiomyxoma with cystic degene ration of Wharton's jelly. Tumors of the umbilical cord are rare anoma lies and should be considered when using prenatal ultrasound for detec tion of cystic lesions.