Case reportThe giant umbilical cord: an unusual presentation of a patent urachus
Section snippets
Case report
AFULL-TERM baby boy with routine prenatal care, but no prenatal ultrasound examinations, was referred from an outside institution after an uneventful delivery. The patient was noted to have a giant umbilical cord, with diameter measuring 5 cm and length approximately 30 cm. The cord had a glistening surface and hydropic consistency. A normal number of umbilical vessels were present within the cord. The umbilical stalk was of normal diameter with no palpable fascial defect. No abdominal contents
Discussion
A review of the literature reports few similar cases of a giant umbilical cord.1, 2, 3, 4 However, all of these cases are associated with a patent urachus. Ente et al.1 reported 2 cases of infants presenting with large urachal leaks. Both of these infants had been born with giant umbilical cords. The differential diagnosis of this condition includes umbilical cord pseudocysts, umbilical hernias, vascular malformations, and omphalomesenteric duct remnants. Prenatal ultrasound scan is helpful in
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Cited by (25)
Urachal anomalies: A review of pathological conditions, diagnosis, and management
2019, Translational Research in AnatomyCitation Excerpt :In addition, a patent urachus has been linked with posterior urethral valves or urethral atresia in one third of cases [5,29]. In infrequent cases, patent urachus has been associated with bladder eversion [102,103] and giant umbilical cord [99,100,104]. Umbilical-urachal sinus is commonly associated with a urachal cyst after infection [105].
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2012, Pediatric SurgeryCurrent management of umbilical abnormalities and related anomalies
2007, Seminars in Pediatric SurgeryCitation Excerpt :There have been rare reports of a patent urachus closing in the early newborn period.65,66 A patent urachus can result in bladder prolapse,67,68 or a “giant” umbilical cord.69 Patency of the urachus is estimated to account for about 10% to 15% of urachal anomalies.65
Disorders of the Umbilicus
2006, Pediatric Surgery: Sixth Edition