SONOMORPHOLOGY AND INVOLUTION OF THE NORMAL URACHUS IN ASYMPTOMATIC NEWBORNS

Citation
B. Zieger et al., SONOMORPHOLOGY AND INVOLUTION OF THE NORMAL URACHUS IN ASYMPTOMATIC NEWBORNS, Pediatric radiology, 28(3), 1998, pp. 156-161
Citations number
17
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology,Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging",Pediatrics
Journal title
ISSN journal
03010449
Volume
28
Issue
3
Year of publication
1998
Pages
156 - 161
Database
ISI
SICI code
0301-0449(1998)28:3<156:SAIOTN>2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
Background. The number of reports on the sonomorphology of the urachus or urachal remnants in neonates and the pattern of involution is limi ted. Objective. To determine whether a sonographically visible urachus in the first months of life is a pathologic condition and whether pos tnatal involution can be demonstrated by ultrasound. Materials and met hods. A total of 102 asymptomatic infants (premature and term newborns ) were examined with a high-resolution 7.5-MHz linear transducer betwe en 0 and 60 days of age. In 70 infants, a second examination followed 3-5 months later. Results. In all infants, the urachus could be identi fied on the first examination. Different morphological types were diff erentiated. There was no difference between premature and term newborn s in the morphology of the urachus. Spontaneous involution of the urac hus was observed in all infants receiving a second examination, and th ey most often showed a fusiform urachal remnant at the apex of the bla dder. Conclusion. Involution of the urachus is not complete at birth a nd can be followed up sonographically in the first months of life. Thi s knowledge should prompt a new strategy in young infants with a disch arging umbilicus or even an infected urachus. Instead of early surgery , a conservative approach under sonographic control seems reasonable, because there is a chance of spontaneous involution and any abnormal d evelopment can be detected by ultrasound.