umbilical cord cyst

Umbilical cord cysts can refer to any cystic lesion associated with the umbilical cord. They can be single (commoner) or multiple.

Epidemiology

They may be seen in ~3% of pregnancies in the first trimester .

Pathology

Umbilical cord cysts can represent either true or false cysts:

Associations

There are increased associations (especially when there are additional sonographic abnormalities and if there is persistence in the 2 or 3 trimester) with certain chromosomal/structural anomalies (reported in upto 20% in one study ):

Radiographic features

Antenatal ultrasound

They tend to be eccentric in relation to the umbilical cord . It can be almost impossible to differentiate a true cyst from a pseudocyst on sonographic grounds. The cyst sizes can be variable ranging from a few millimeters up to 5 cm .

Treatment and prognosis

Most advocate a detailed sonographic assessment to be performed if an umbilical cord cyst is seen. A transient cyst which resolves on subsequent imaging is considered to carry an excellent prognosis.

Concerning factors include:

  • multiple cysts
  • presence of other sonographic abnormalities
  • persistence during serial sonographic assessment or persistence into the 2 or 3 trimester

Differential diagnosis

On ultrasound, consider:

Siehe auch:
und weiter: