Late prenatal ultrasound features of hydrometrocolpos secondary to cloacal anomaly: case reports and review of the literature

Prenatal diagnosis of persistent cloaca accompanied by uterus didelphys: A case report

Persistent cloaca is a rare abnormality that occurs usually in females and is characterized by direct communication between the gastrointestinal, urinary, and genital structures resulting in a single perineal opening. We report a case of persistent cloaca accompanying uterus didelphys that was diagnosed antenatally with fetal ultrasonography. A gravida 3, para 2, 35-year-old women at 22 weeks of gestation was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of moderate pyelectasis of the fetal kidneys and fetal diffuse intestinal dilation. Detailed ultrasound scan findings were reported as a small thick-walled septated cystic pelvic mass of 5.2×5.5 cm size seen at the level of the fetal pelvic region. The target sign could not be visualized, it was considered as anal atresia. In the following weeks, the patient, who was evaluated together with meconium on the uterine septum, and monitoring of the neighboring bladder and anal atresia, was diagnosed as having persistent cloaca. Ultrasound findings showed that it could be persistent cloaca accompanying uterus didelphys. The fetus postnatally manifested persistent cloaca. On the first day after vaginal delivery, pelvic ultrasound in the neonatal intensive care unit showed bilateral 2^nd-degree hydronephrosis, presacral enlarged bowel loops, uterus didelphis, vaginal septum, direct contact between urethra and vagina, proximal end in the rectum compatible with atresia. On the second day, colostomy was performed. Her renal condition continued to be stable. She is now waiting for definitive surgery for cloaca. Persistent cloaca should be considered in any female fetus presenting with hydronephrosis and a cystic pelvic mass lesion as diagnosed by ultrasound. Prenatal diagnosis allows time for parental counseling and delivery planning at a tertiary hospital for neonatal intensive care and pediatric surgery.

Challenges in the Prenatal Diagnosis of Cloaca

Background:

Cloaca is a common excretory channel for the genital, urinary, and gastrointestinal tracts. It is considered a severe anorectal malformation caused by failed partitioning of the genital, rectal, and urinary tracts.

Methods:

We report 5 infants with cloaca at birth who were identified prenatally by one or more of the following on prenatal ultrasound (US): ambiguous genitalia, a cystic pelvic/abdominal mass, hydronephrosis, ascites, a single umbilical artery, and oligohydramnios.

Results:

A cystic pelvic/abdominal mass and ambiguous genitalia were each observed in 3 cases by prenatal US. Ambiguous genitalia was observed in all 5 neonates at birth. There were 2 twin pregnancies (dichorionic/diamniotic and monochorionic/monoamniotic), with only 1 twin in a set affected with cloaca.

Conclusion:

Pediatricians should be alert to the prenatal US findings that may raise suspicion of a persistent cloaca to improve both prenatal counseling and family preparation.

Diagnosis of Persistent Cloaca by Ultrasonography and MRI: A Case Report

Patient: Female, 38-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Persistent cloaca

Symptoms: Hydrocolpos • hydronephrosis • oligohydramnios

Medication:—

Clinical Procedure: Magnetic resonance imaging • ultrasonography

Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hydrometrocolpos etiology and management: past beckons the present

Hydrometrocolpos is a rare condition in which the uterus and the vagina are grossly distended with a retained fluid other than pus or blood. It may present during the neonatal period or later at puberty. Most cases reported earlier were stillbirths and were diagnosed only on autopsy. Antenatal diagnosis is now possible with the advent of ultrasound. An early diagnosis and speedy management is the key to survival. Many previous case reports have focused on the varied clinical presentations, multiple causes, associated syndromes and/or the radiological diagnosis of this condition. However, management options for different types of hydrometrocolpos have not yet been concisely discussed. We have reviewed the literature and tried to summarize the management options applicable to most case scenarios of hydrometrocolpos.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Hydro(metro)colpos: A Series of 20 Cases

BACKGROUND

Hydrocolpos and hydrometrocolpos are rare malformations caused by accumulation of secretion due to congenital obstruction of the vagina. Hydro(metro)colpos may be isolated or can be combined with other malformations as part of a syndromic disorder. We report on a series of 20 cases with hydro(metro)colpos diagnosed prenatally, delineate the differential diagnoses, and illustrate the spectrum of associated malformations.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study involving 20 fetuses with hydro(metro)colpos at two large tertiary referral centers in Germany over an 18-year period (2000-2017).

RESULTS

The median diagnosis was made at 30+4 weeks of gestation, the earliest at 20+6 weeks, the latest at 37+2 weeks. All 20 fetuses presented with the typical cystic structure behind the fetal bladder. Additional malformations included urogenital malformations, hexadactyly, and heart defects. Postnatal follow-up revealed that hydro(metro)colpos was associated with anorectal malformation in 11/20 fetuses, McKusick-Kaufman syndrome or Bardet-Biedl syndrome in 4/20 fe tuses, Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome in 3/20 fetuses, and Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome in 1/20. In 1 fetus pressure from an intraabdominal teratoma resulted in prenatal hydro(metro)colpos.

CONCLUSION

Hydro(me tro)colpos is a rare prenatal sonographic feature. Multidisciplinary prenatal counseling should include all potential syndromes that can present with hydro(metro)colpos in the prenatal setting.

Müllerian duct and related anomalies in children and adolescents

Although many Müllerian duct anomalies do not require treatment, surgical intervention is sometimes necessary to enable sexual activity or to preserve fertility. The identification of these anomalies is important for optimal clinical management or surgical treatment. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a robust method for adequately evaluating and characterizing uterine and vaginal anomalies. The information provided by MR imaging allows for a more complete understanding of the malformation, facilitating management decisions and potentially changing the outcome. In this article, the embryology, classification, and MR imaging findings of Müllerian duct and related anomalies in children and adolescents are reviewed.

Uterus didelphys with blind hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome) suspected on the presence of hydrocolpos on prenatal sonography

We report the case of a female neonate with ipsilateral renal agenesis and uterus didelphys with blind hemivagina, also known as Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich (HWW) syndrome. Prenatal sonography revealed the absence of the left kidney and a retrovesical cystic lesion suspected as hydrometrocolpos. Postnatal evaluation confirmed that the cystic lesion was a hydrocolpos associated with double uterus and blind hemivagina (HWW syndrome). HWW syndrome can be suspected prenatally if a retrovesical cystic lesion is detected in a female fetus with unilateral absence of kidney.

Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal ultrasound findings of cloacal anomaly: a case report

Cloacal malformation is an extremely rare fetal pathological condition that presents as a variety of defects. It predominantly affects females, with prevalence of 1 in 50,000 births. Prenatal ultrasonography on a 20-year-old caucasian woman (G4P1A2) at 33 weeks of pregnancy showed the fetus having a large cystic mass in the lower abdomen with a single septum, bilateral hydronephrosis, ambiguous genitalia, and a single umbilical artery. The pregnancy developed accentuated oligohydramnios, and presence of a fetal brain-sparing effect was diagnosed using arterial Doppler velocimetry. The newborn showed abdominal distension, ambiguous genitalia, and rectal atresia, with a single perineal opening. Pelvic ultrasound done on the first day after delivery revealed the presence of a large retrovesical septated cystic mass of dense content in the fetal abdomen, and bilateral hydronephrosis. Hysterotomy was performed, and 70 mL of dense liquid was drained through an abdominal colostomy. The infant died on the 27th day of life as a result of infectious complications. Prenatal diagnosing of female urogenital anomalies is usually difficult because of their rarity, different types of manifestation, and lack of characteristic ultrasound signs. Presence of a septated cyst with dense content in the fetal abdomen confirms the finding of hydrometrocolpos, thus raising clinical suspicion of a cloacal anomaly.

Persistent cloaca: a 10-year review of prenatal diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to review antenatal sonographic findings in children born with persistent cloaca.

METHODS

Infants (n =145) with persistent cloaca followed at a center for colorectal congenital anomalies were identified by a retrospective chart review. Fifty female infants with a persistent cloaca met inclusion criteria and had prenatal records and imaging studies available for review. Sonographic data were retrospectively abstracted from charts.

RESULTS

Anomalies were detected in 27 of 50 cases (54%). A correct antenatal diagnosis of persistent cloaca occurred in 3 of 50 (6%). Common findings misinterpreted on antenatal sonography include urinary tract anomalies, dilated bowel, and a cystic pelvic mass (representing hydrocolpos).

CONCLUSIONS

Antenatal diagnosis of persistent cloaca is difficult. Persistent cloaca should be considered in the differential diagnosis if urinary tract malformations, dilated bowel loops, or cystic pelvic masses are visualized by prenatal diagnosis.

Case report: Antenatal MRI diagnosis of cloacal dysgenesis syndrome

Cloacal dysgenesis sequence (CDS) is a lethal malformation with a highly variable presentation. CDS is characterized by direct communication between the gastrointestinal, urinary, and genital structures, resulting in a single perineal opening. Prenatal diagnosis of a cloacal anomaly is often difficult because of the highly variable imaging features. Here, we report a case in which a diagnosis of CDS was made with fetal MRI on the basis of a meconium-containing, bilobed, abdominopelvic cystic mass communicating with the ureters and the colon.

Prenatal diagnosis of hydrometrocolpos in a Down syndrome fetus

We report the prenatal sonographic diagnosis of hydrometrocolpos caused by an imperforate hymen in a Down syndrome fetus, with spontaneous evacuation on the third day of life. In this case, sonographic evaluation in the 37th week revealed a large retrovesical, sharply marginated, heterogeneous, unilocular cystic structure within the fetal abdomen extending to the left side of the umbilicus.

VURD Syndrome in a Female

VURD syndrome has been repeatedly described as unilateral reflux into a nonfunctioning renal moiety. This syndrome is considered a pop-off mechanism dissipating pressure in lower urinary tract obstruction: it may be found in association with other protective mechanisms occurring in utero, such as ascites and/or urinomas, and has been exclusively described in male patients. A premature female baby with signs and symptoms of outflow obstruction underwent diagnostic workup revealing congenital urethral hypoplasia with unilateral reflux into a dysplastic kidney. Obstetrical history was positive for early onset, serologically negative ascites without cardiomegaly, which required serial aspirations. Reconstructive surgery was carried out with good results: ascites and VURD syndrome were both deemed to be perinatal protective mechanism against excess pressure in the urinary tract. Although rare, lower urinary tract obstruction in the female can lead to the same protective mechanisms seen in male fetuses/newborns. VURD syndrome and ascites should be interpreted as such and require perinatal specialist counselling.

Prenatal diagnosis of cloacal malformations

INTRODUCTION

Prenatal diagnosis of anorectal malformations currently occurs in 0-15.9% of screened cases. In cloacas, these numbers are unknown. We speculate that some images from prenatal ultrasound studies may suggest the diagnosis of cloaca, but are not recognized because of a lack of suspicion for this diagnosis.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the medical records of 489 patients born with cloaca was performed; 95 of them had prenatal ultrasound reports that represent the material analyzed for this study. A literature review was performed, finding 31 publications, with 68 cloaca patients detected by prenatal images. The abnormal findings of our patients were compared with those described in the literature to determine the most common abnormal prenatal images found in patients with cloaca.

RESULTS

The 95 ultrasound reports found in our patients described 270 abnormalities, the most frequent were: abdominal/pelvic cystic/mass (39), hydronephrosis (36), oligohydramnios (23), distended bowel/bowel obstruction (19), ascites (15), 2 vessel cord (14), dilated bladder (14), dilated ureter (14), polyhydramnios (10), echogenic bowel (8), multicystic kidney (8), "ambiguous genitalia" (7), hydrops fetalis (7), hydrocolpos (4), absent kidney (3), abnormal spine (3), and anorectal atresia (3). In spite of these findings, the radiologists who interpreted the studies only suspected a cloaca in 6 cases (6%). The literature review showed 212 abnormalities in 68 demonstrated cloaca patients. The most frequent were: abdominal/pelvic cystic/mass (46), hydronephrosis (44), ascites (21), oligohydramnios (20), distended bowel (11), multicystic dysplastic kidney (7), ambiguous genitalia (6), non-visualization of the bladder (6), two-vessel cord (5), dilated bladder (5), intraabdominal calcification (4), polyhydramnios (4), enterolithiasis (4), hydrometrocolpos (3), and dilated ureter (3).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that it is possible to suspect the diagnosis of cloaca, prenatally, more frequently than what currently occurs, looking at the same images but with an increased index of suspicion for cystic abdominal masses and a combination of gastrointestinal and urological abnormalities.

Prenatal diagnosis of isolated fetal hydrocolpos secondary to congenital imperforate hymen

A 32-year-old primigravida was referred to our hospital at 36 weeks of gestation with a fetal pelvic mass. Ultrasonography showed the fluid-filled area to be a 9 x 4 x 5-cm pear-shaped retrovesical mass with a funnel-shaped blind pouch at the distal end of the fetal vagina. Marked left hydronephrosis resulting from mass compression was also detected. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging further defined a pelvic lesion extending cephalically into the abdomen and caudally into the vagina. Membranal protrusion of the introitus was clearly identified. Therefore, the diagnosis of congenital imperforate hymen with hydrocolpos was established. At 38 weeks of gestation, a 2,966-g female infant was delivered vaginally with good Apgar scores. Physical examination of the neonate revealed a bulging membrane covering the vaginal opening. The presence of syndromic disorders (McKusick-Kaufman, Ellis-van Creveld or Bardet-Biedl syndromes), genitourinary and anorectal anomalies were excluded. The karyotype was 46,XX. A hymenotomy was performed on the second day of life. The infant recovered fully after hymenotomy.

Fetal urogenital sinus with consecutive hydrometrocolpos because of labial fusion: prenatal diagnostic difficulties and postpartal therapeutic management

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the differential diagnoses of tumorous dilations in the fetal pelvic region detected by prenatal ultrasound and the postnatal management demonstrated on a fetus with 29 weeks of gestation with a retrovesical located bottle-like cystic structure measuring 54 x 31 x 27 mm within the pelvis. Postnatal findings were a labial fusion and a consecutive hydrometrocolpos due to a urethrovaginal fistula.

METHOD

Case report of a fetus affected by an intricate cloacal anomaly.

RESULTS

The long-term prognosis for this nonsyndromic form of hydrometrocolpos without any other structural defects or organic failures after operative sanitation is excellent. Final reconstruction is planned at about 12 months of age.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal diagnosis of tumorous dilations in the fetal pelvic region often involves difficulties because of numerous differential diagnoses and possible presentation in late pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging could be a useful complementary tool for assessing these anomalies when ultrasonography is inconclusive. In some cases, the final diagnosis cannot be confirmed until after delivery.

Prenatal ultrasonographic features of persistent urogenital sinus with hydrometrocolpos and ascites

OBJECTIVE

Hydrometrocolpos is a rare congenital disorder very rarely reported on prenatal sonography. In this study we report a persistent urogenital sinus with hydrometrocolpos and ascites at 24 weeks of gestation.

CASE

Detailed ultrasonographic examination revealed female fetus with pelvic mass measured as 60 x 70 x 80 mm, anterior to sacral bone and inferior to bladder, and ascites, ureterocele, hydroureter, hydronephrosis but normal amniotic fluid. Further examination showed that cervical canal and uterine cavity was in continuation with the pelvic mass and dilatation of uterine tubes implicated hydrometrocolpos. Physical examination of the neonate revealed a single anterior opening at perineum and a patent anus but no visible urethral orifice. A voiding cystourethrogram demonstrated a urethrovaginal fistula. The neonate underwent ureteroneoostomy and was discharged on day 10 for follow-up and final repair.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of hydrometrocolpos in our case prevented unnecessary interventions and allowed early neonatal treatment.

Fetal magnetic resonance imaging in the antenatal diagnosis and management of hydrocolpos

Hydrocolpos should be considered systematically when an abdominopelvic cystic mass is diagnosed in a female fetus. Because the prognosis and neonatal management of isolated hydrocolpos with spontaneous resolution differs greatly from that of hydrocolpos associated with a cloacal malformation, it is important to ascertain prenatally whether there are associated anomalies. We report the prenatal characteristics of three fetuses with hydrocolpos; in two cases there was spontaneous resolution and one infant was born with digestive tract atresia. The principal ultrasound findings were an oblong anechoic pelvic mass with or without a sagittal septum, located behind a normal bladder. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the cervical imprint on the vagina confirmed the diagnosis of hydrocolpos and helped to diagnose cloacal malformation by demonstrating the absence of meconium beside the bladder on T1 sequences. Our cases show that MRI is useful for differentiating isolated hydrocolpos from hydrocolpos associated with cloacal malformation.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal hydrometrocolpos secondary to a cloacal anomaly by magnetic resonance imaging

Fetal female urogenital anomalies are often difficult to evaluate by ultrasonography, especially in late gestation. We report a case of fetal hydrometrocolpos detected at 35 weeks of gestation. Ultrasonography revealed a large retrovesical septate hypoechogenic mass in the fetal abdomen, however the sonographic findings were inconclusive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed that the abdominal mass was fluid-filled with a mid-plane septum in the midline posterior to the bladder, and showed a connection to the dilated uterus that was duplicated. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of hydrometrocolpos with septate vagina and uterus didelphys. The neonate showed abdominal distension, ambiguous genitalia and anal atresia with a single perineal opening. Hydrometrocolpos was secondary to a urethral type of cloacal anomaly. Aspiration of the mass and a colostomy were performed on the first postnatal day, followed by anorectoplasty at 19 months of age. MRI is a useful complementary tool for assessing fetal urogenital anomalies when ultrasonography is inconclusive.

Cloacal anomaly simulating megalocystis in the first trimester

We present a case of cloacal anomaly that simulated megalocystis in the first trimester of gestation of a female fetus. During the second trimester, repeated paracentesis was necessary to treat increasing ascites, oligohydramnios, and hydronephrosis. Our data support findings that ascites presenting with a multiloculated cystic structure on sonography during the second trimester may be typical for cloacal anomalies. Active treatment of the fetal ascites is recommended to improve the child's prospects for survival.

Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in a case of prenatally detected fetal hydrocolpos

We report on a female fetus with prenatally suspected hydrometrocolpos. Postnatal evaluation additionally revealed ambiguous genitalia, anorectal atresia, vertebral segmentation anomalies and congenital intestinal aganglionosis. Colostomy was performed, but postoperative recovery was complicated by pulmonary hypertension and renal failure, resulting in death at day 18. Postmortem examination furthermore revealed a small ventricular septal defect, as well as rectovaginal and urethrovaginal fistulae, causing massive dilatation of the septated vagina (hydrocolpos). The possibility of an overlapping VACTERL and MURCS association is discussed.

Persistent cloaca: are we ready for a correct prenatal diagnosis?

Cloacal malformations are rare and can present in variable aspects. The importance of ultrasound in detecting these anomalies is well known. Sonographic features vary in accordance with the type of malformation and the gestational age. A positive diagnosis is not possible because of the lack of specific ultrasound findings, which can show similar aspects to other abnormalities. We present 3 cases of prenatal diagnosis of this malformation, emphasizing that in the presence of a plurilobed cystic pelvic fetal mass with associated malformations, such as cardiac, renal, and vertebral anomalies, a persistent cloaca can reasonably be suspected.