The features of MRI in spectrum of fetal cloaca malformation / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the features and application value of MRI in the spectrum of fetal cloaca malformation.Methods:The clinical, MRI and ultrasound data of 6 fetuses with spectrum of cloaca malformation were retrospectively analyzed in Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University from January 2017 to February 2021, and the MRI features of each subtype were analyzed.Results:Among the 6 fetuses of spectrum of the cloaca malformation, 5 were confirmed by postnatal imaging and surgery, and 1 was confirmed by induced labor autopsy, including 3 persistent cloaca, 1 posterior cloaca, 1 cloaca variant, and 1 urogenital sinus. The high signal on T 1WI of the rectal meconium disappeared or became weaker, and the signal on T 2WI of meconium of the dilated colon increased in the 3 cases of persistent cloaca and 1 case of posterior cloaca. All 6 cases showed colonic dilatation. All cases except 1 persistent cloaca showed vaginal and/or uterine effusion. Two cases of persistent cloaca, 1 case of posterior cloaca and 1 case of cloaca variant showed duplicated genital tract. Two cases of persistent cloaca showed only 1 perineal opening, which opened at the urethral orifice. One case of cloaca variant showed 2 openings, which opened at the urethral orifice and in front of the normal anus, respectively. Conclusion:Prenatal MRI can help to clarify the diagnosis of cloacal malformation spectrum and to determine its specific classification.