Umbilical cord anomalies: antenatal ultrasound findings and postnatal correlation

Abstract

Umbilical cord anomalies are rare. The differential diagnosis for a cystic structure around the umbilical cord and its insertion include pseudocyst, omphalomesenteric duct cyst, haemangioma, omphalocele or anterior abdominal wall defects. Although cord anomalies can be detected through antenatal ultrasound scans (US), very often a definitive diagnosis cannot be made. This may affect the management of the infant at birth. In cases where antenatal US was not diagnostic, current evidence supports the use of MRI to help in making an accurate diagnosis. We report two cases of umbilical cord anomalies. The first case was diagnosed in antenatal US as an omphalocele, but was found to be an allantoic cyst with hamartoma on postnatal diagnosis. The second case was not detected on antenatal US, and was diagnosed postnatally as a small omphalocele with vitellointestinal duct remnants.