Umbilical Cord Anomalies

Abstract

Cord cysts are a rare occurrence and are usually insignificant to the pregnancy if an isolated finding. True cysts have an epithelial lining and may represent a remnant of the allantois during cord formation¹ Cysts can reach several centimeters in diameter and maybe detected in the first trimester.² Pseuodocysts represent embryological remnant or cystic degeneration of Wharton's jelly that surrounds the cord and have no epithelial lining.¹ They can be seen as multiple masses and are associated with aneuploidy. Other more rare cord anomalies are tumours, such as teratomas originating from germ cells. Angiomyxoma is a tumour deriving from abnormal vascularisation of the cord, emanating from the umbilical arteries. Cord compression from these masses means that there can be serious complications in pregnancy.³ Haematomas are rare in pregnancies that have not had intervention such as amniocentesis or fetal cord sampling. A mass can be demonstrated with internal echoes. Even more rare is the ompahlomesenteric cyst, an enteric lined cyst that connects with the Meckel's diverticulum. Allantoic cysts are where remnants of the communication between the bladder and cord still exist. Extravasation of the bladder into the cord creates a cyst. These cysts are often seen in connection with urinary tract anomalies and can sometimes be identified if the connection between the cord and bladder is present.⁴