Urachal cyst

Last revised by Mohammad Taghi Niknejad ◉ on 4 Feb 2024

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Radswiki T, Niknejad M, Bickle I, et al. Urachal cyst. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 08 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-12212

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-12212

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/12212

rID:

12212

Article created:

30 Oct 2010, The Radswiki ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created The Radswiki had no recorded disclosures.

View The Radswiki's current disclosures

Last revised:

4 Feb 2024, Mohammad Taghi Niknejad ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Mohammad Taghi Niknejad had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Mohammad Taghi Niknejad's current disclosures

Revisions:

22 times, by 15 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Urogenital, Paediatrics

Synonyms:

Urachal cysts

Urachal cysts are one of the manifestations of the spectrum of congenital urachal remnant abnormalities.

Urachal cysts form when both the umbilical and vesical ends of the urachal lumen close while an intervening portion remains patent and fluid-filled. The cyst can drain through the umbilicus, bladder, or through the peritoneum and into intraperitoneal organs. Rarely it can cause peritonitis and abdominal symptoms.

The most common pathogens of urachal abscess are Staphylococcus, E. coli, Pseudomonas, and Streptococcus.

Radiographic features

An uncomplicated urachal cyst appears as a collection of simple fluid localized in the midline of the anterior abdominal wall, between the umbilicus and the pubis and often contiguous with the bladder dome.

Treatment and prognosis

Treatment of a urachal cyst may involve IV antibiotic therapy and/or surgical excision. Drainage is usually associated with a high rate of relapse. Sometimes it is advisable to drain the cyst contents before its excision.

Differential diagnosis

For an infected urachal cyst, bladder adenocarcinoma should be considered. For a non-infected urachal cyst general imaging differential considerations include