New ultrasonographic criterion for the prenatal diagnosis of cloacal exstrophy: Elephant trunk-like image

There are few reports of the prenatal diagnosis of cloacal exstrophy,(1) an d only 15 patients with this abnormality have been diagnosed by prenatal ul trasonography. In 1998 Austin et al reviewed these 15 cases and proposed cr iteria for the prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of cloacal exstrophy (see Appe ndix).(2) We report on a neonate with cloacal exstrophy in whom, to our kno wledge, the prenatal ultrasound findings of a wavy cord-like mass of soft t issue protruding from the abdominal wall below the umbilicus have not been previously described. This finding is useful for making the prenatal diagno sis of this anomaly and it should be added to the existing criteria.