Abstract
Abnormalities of the urachus, the vestigial remnant of the allantois, result when the embryonic lumen fails to completely obliterate during fetal development. In adults, urachal abnormalities are most commonly masses, with urachal adenocarcinoma representing the most frequent etiology. Due to the low incidence of urachal masses, guidelines for diagnostic workup and treatment are based off of a limited body of evidence comprised primarily of case reports and retrospective series. We present the case of a fifty-two-year-old woman with a urachal mass. Full radiologic workup consisting of computed tomography, cystoscopy and ultrasonography is included, and the risk factors, treatment and prognosis are discussed.
Highlights
Urachal masses are exceedingly rare in the general population and can arise from a wide variety of causes
One retrospective epidemiological study of 33 adult patients with urachal masses found that 67% of cases were caused by carcinoma, most commonly adenocarcinoma, while the remaining 33% were due to benign etiologies including abscesses and cysts (Tian et al 2008)
Urachal adenocarcinoma comprises approximately 0.34% of all bladder neoplasms with only several hundred cases reported in the literature (Pinthus et al 2006; Manunta et al 2005)
Summary
Urachal masses are exceedingly rare in the general population and can arise from a wide variety of causes. One retrospective epidemiological study of 33 adult patients with urachal masses found that 67% of cases were caused by carcinoma, most commonly adenocarcinoma, while the remaining 33% were due to benign etiologies including abscesses and cysts (Tian et al 2008). Urachal adenocarcinoma comprises approximately 0.34% of all bladder neoplasms with only several hundred cases reported in the literature (Pinthus et al 2006; Manunta et al 2005).
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