Persistent urachus

Overview

Objective: The authors present a series of pa tients treated for persistent urachus pathologies. Patient cohort and method: Retrospective analysis of a group of 16 patients (9 girls, 7 boys) treated between 2013 and 2023 with a diagnosis of persistent urachus. Results: Urachal cyst was diagnosed preop eratively in 11 patients (69%), urachal sinus was diagnosed in 4 patients (25%), and persistent ura chus was found in one patient (6%). Thirteen pa tients underwent surgical excision of the urachus. Three patients in the cohort were not operated on during the follow‑up period. One of them was later indicated for excision based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Two patients did not require surgery. In one case, sonographic f indings disappeared after conservative treatment, and in another case, the condition was resolved by incision of an inflammatory cyst followed by conservative management. Both patients remain asymptomatic. Among the 13 surgically excised specimens, histological structures confirming the diagnosis of urachus were demonstrated in 11 patients, while no urachal tissue structures were found in two patients. Conclusion: Persistent urachus warrants com plete excision with a favorable prognosis.

Keywords:

Persistent urachus, pediatric age, excision.