Antenatal Diagnosis of Cloacal Dysgenesis Sequence by Fetal Magnetic Resonance Urography: Is It Incompatible with Fetal Life?

Abstract

Cloacal dysgenesis sequence (CDS) is a lethal and rare congenital malformation; usually requiring termination of gestation. As prenatal ultrasonography remains a method with doubtable results, we used Fetal Magnetic Resonance Urography (FMRU) for the evaluation of a fetus at 18 weeks of gestation, suspected to cloacal anomalies. Prenatal imaging of the patient; showed smooth perineum, bilateral hypoplastic kidneys, dilated urinary bladder and absence of anal, urethral and vaginal openings; while prenatal sonographic investigation merely showed a mesenteric cyst. Gestation was culminated and no vesicocolon fistula was detected in the abortus. In the current study, FMRU provided larger number of anomalies and showed to be more sensitive in evaluation of urogenital anatomy compared to the results obtained from sonography.