Borderline genitourinary tract abnormalities.

Abstract

The ability to detect major malformations of the fetal urinary tract using diagnostic antenatal ultrasound is well-known. Serious obstructive or dysgenetic abnormalities are often clearly seen and their implications well-known. Less clear is the meaning of mild or minimal pyelectasis, unilateral renal agenesis, nonvisualization of the fetal bladder, and pelvic kidneys. Fetal pyelectasis rarely, if ever, is associated with a need for neonatal intervention if the diameter of the pelvis is less than 10 mm. Although mild pyelectasis occurs in up to 25% of Down syndrome fetuses, the risk of Down syndrome in the case of isolated pyelectasis in a low-risk population is less than 1 in 340. Mild pyelectasis by itself does not seem to justify invasive testing for fetal karyotype. Nonvisualization of the fetal bladder carries a high risk of renal agenesis or dysplasia, whereas unilateral renal agenesis and a fetal pelvic kidney seem to carry limited, if any, negative implications.

• Authors: J W Seeds
• Journal: Seminars in ultrasound, CT, and MR (Semin Ultrasound CT MR) Vol. 19 Issue 4 Pg. 347-54 (Aug 1998) ISSN: 0887-2171 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9718663 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Female
• Fetal Diseases (diagnostic imaging)
• Humans
• Kidney Diseases (diagnostic imaging)
• Kidney Pelvis (abnormalities, diagnostic imaging)
• Pregnancy
• Ultrasonography, Prenatal
• Urinary Bladder (diagnostic imaging)
• Urogenital Abnormalities (diagnostic imaging)