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Enlarged fetal bladder: Differential diagnosis and outcomes
Author(s) -
Pinette Michael G.,
Blackstone Jacquelyn,
Wax Joseph R.,
Cartin Angelina
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/jcu.10179
Subject(s) - medicine , differential diagnosis , fetus , radiology , gynecology , obstetrics , pregnancy , pathology , biology , genetics
Abstract The sonographic finding of an enlarged fetal bladder may simply be a transitory normal variant, but it may also be secondary to reflux or to obstructive, neurogenic, or myopathic causes. In this report, we describe the cases of 3 fetuses with an enlarged bladder, each of which had a different cause. The first fetus had posterior urethral valve obstruction, the second, a ruptured neurogenic bladder, and the third, megacystic‐microcolon‐intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome. When sonographic examination reveals an enlarged fetal bladder, the ureter, kidneys, genitalia, and spine should be evaluated carefully. Although sonography is good at identifying urinary tract abnormalities, it often cannot provide the specific diagnosis or cause. We recommend frequent sonographic monitoring to evaluate such fetuses for persistence of or changes in bladder enlargement and for changes in the volume of amniotic fluid because these signs may be indicators of abnormalities of renal function and risk factors for a poor prognosis. Analysis of fetal electrolyte levels can also aid in determining the prognosis and whether the condition is amenable to therapeutic intervention. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 31:328–334, 2003

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