Umbilical cord cyst

Last revised by Arlene Campos on 22 Aug 2024

Umbilical cord cysts can refer to any cystic lesion associated with the umbilical cord. They can be single (more common) or multiple.

They may be seen in ~3% of pregnancies in the first trimester 8.

There are associations (especially when there are additional sonographic abnormalities and if there is persistence in the 2nd or 3rd trimester) with certain chromosomal/structural anomalies (reported in up to 20% in one study 8).

Associations include aneuploidic conditions such as:

Umbilical cord cysts can represent either true or false cysts:

They tend to be eccentric in relation to the umbilical cord 7. It can be almost impossible to differentiate a true cyst from a pseudocyst on sonographic grounds. The cyst sizes can be variable ranging from a few millimeters up to 5 cm 11.

Most advocate a detailed sonographic assessment to be performed if an umbilical cord cyst is seen. A transient cyst that resolves on subsequent imaging is considered to carry an excellent prognosis. 

Concerning factors include:

  • multiple cysts 10

  • presence of other sonographic abnormalities

  • persistence during serial sonographic assessment or persistence into the 2nd or 3rd trimester

On ultrasound, consider:

Cases and figures

  • Case 1
  • Case 2: multiple
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