Persistent Omphalomesenteric Duct in Prune-Belly Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Recurrent Abdominal Pain

Abstract

A 16-year-old boy with prune-belly syndrome had recurrent abdominal pain, the cause of which was not found with noninvasive diagnostic methods. Therefore, a diagnostic laparoscopy was performed. A fibrous cord was found reaching from the inner part of the umbilicus to the ileal mesentery. This structure was a persistent omphalomesenteric artery and caused a partial midgut volvulus leading to intermittent small bowel obstruction. After replacement of the gut and resection of cord, there was an uneventful recovery. Laparoscopy provides a method for the proper diagnosis of recurrent abdominal pain when noninvasive diagnostic methods fail. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first publication of a case of prune-belly syndrome complicated by a persistent omphalomesenteric duct as a cause of recurrent abdominal pain.