Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of cloacal exstrophy associated with myelocystocele complex by the ‘elephant trunk–like’ image and review of the literature |
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| Authors: | Matteo Della Monica Alfredo Nazzaro Fortunato Lonardo Gerardo Ferrara Arturo Di Blasi Gioacchino Scarano |
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| Institution: | 1. Division of Medical Genetics, ‘Gaetano Rummo’ Hospital, Benevento, Italy;2. Prenatal Diagnosis Unit, ‘Gaetano Rummo’ Hospital, Benevento, Italy;3. Pathology Unit, ‘Gaetano Rummo’ Hospital, Benevento, Italy |
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| Abstract: | A case of cloacal exstrophy (CE) was detected by ultrasound as early as 22 weeks of gestation in association with myelocystocele complex, an unusual form of occult spinal dysraphism often associated with such a disease. The ultrasonographic diagnosis was made through the detection of a wavy cord-like segment of soft tissue protruding from the anterior abdominal wall, just below the umbilical cord insertion, strongly resembling the trunk of an elephant. Our article enforces the suggestion that the ultrasound elephant trunk–like image should be added to the existing major criteria for making prenatal diagnosis of CE. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | cloacal exstrophy myelocystocele complex ultrasound prenatal diagnosis elephant trunk–like image |
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