Abstract

MARTIN MARTIN, Ramona. Wharton's jelly umbilical cord cyst. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria [online]. 2016, vol.18, n.71, pp.e121-e124. ISSN 1139-7632.

Umbilical cord cysts occur in 3% of pregnancies. They are divided into true cysts and pseudocysts. Most cysts diagnosed during the first trimester of pregnancy have no pathological significance, but 13% may have structural alterations, and if they persist during pregnancy increases the percentage. These abnormalities are more frequent if the cyst is close to the fetal or placental insertion, are eccentric and multiple. When they are diagnosed in the second and third trimesters, they may associate up to 50% structural and chromosomal anomalies.

The urachus is a structure that connects the bladder to the anterior abdominal wall, at the navel. During the early development is a permeable tube but subsequently obliterated, leaving a solid cord tissue. It persists in 1/150,000 newborns. According to persistent urachus level it is classified into patent urachus, cyst, sinus or diverticulum.

The diagnosis is made by ultrasound. Fistulography can be performed before surgery. The abdominal CT scan or MR may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment should be surgical and precocious by risk of local or urine infection, sepsis and malignant degeneration.

Keywords : Wharton's jelly; Umbilical cord cyst; Persistent urachus.

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