Urachal Anomalies in Children: Our Experience

The urachus is a tubular structure in intrauterine life and the failure of obliteration of its lumen can lead to various anomalies in post natal life namely; patent urachus, urachal sinus, urachal cyst or urachal diverticulim. These urachal anomalies may have symptomatic presentation such as watery umbilical discharge, swelling in the umbilical area or remain asymptomatic to be detected incidently on imaging for other urinary symptoms. The mainstay of diagnosis of rests on history and physical examination and ultrasonography. C T Scan or voiding cystourethrography are rarely needed for reaching a diagnosis of urachal anomalies. These anomalies once detected should always be excised surgically for the fear of malignant potential of the transitional epithelium which they contain.