Persistent cloaca presenting with a perineal cyst: Prenatal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings

A 40-year-old, primigravid woman presented at 23 weeks of gestation for evaluation of an extra-abdominal echogenic cystic mass of the fetus. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XX. Prenatal ultrasound showed a two-vessel umbilical cord, hydrocolpos, and distended bladder, urethra, and colon, and a perineal cystic mass. The kidneys and amniotic fluid amount were normal. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging revealed ascites, hydrocolpos, distended urinary bladder and colon, high rectum, and a perineal cyst. The fetus postnatally manifested persistent cloaca. The perineum was distended and smooth, without patent anal, vaginal, and urethral openings. The external genitalia were ambiguous with no labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris. The perineal cyst had a very small single orifice. We suggest that cloacal anomalies be considered in any female fetus with hydrocolpos, distended bladder and colon, ascites, and a perineal cyst. Copyright (C) 2012 Elsevier Taiwan LLC and the Chinese Medical Association. All rights reserved.