Echogenic foci in the dilated fetal colon may be associated with the presence of a rectourinary fistula

Intraintestinal meconium calcification in the fetus and newborn is a rare finding, occurring in patients with intestinal obstruction. The intraluminal location of the enterolitbiasis enables differentiation from calcifications that are secondary to bowel perforation and meconium peritonitis. We report on a term male neonate with VACTERL (vertebral defects, imperforate anus, cardiac anomalies, tracbeoesopbageal fistula, renal anomalies, limb anomalies) association and rectouretbral fistula, in whom enterolitbiasis was documented by prenatal ultrasound imaging at 21 weeks' gestation. A review of the literature and a summary of all previously described cases of neonates with intraluminal meconium calcifications are provided. Prenatal ultrasonograpbic detection of enterolithiasis in fetuses with anal atresia may indicate the presence of an enterourinary fistula. Copyright D (c) 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.