Also a trochar technique with peel away rather than Seldinger

Urachal anomalies

  • Patent urachus: Entire urachal channel fails to close
  • Urachal cyst: Umbilical and bladder openings close; channel between remains open and fluid or mucin filled
  • Umbilical-urachal sinus: Patency of urachus at umbilical end; no communication with bladder
  • Urachal diverticulum: Patency of urachus at bladder end; no communication with umbilicus
  • Vestigial obliterated urachus = median umbilical ligament
  • Obliterated umbilical arteries = medial umbilical ligaments = adjacent paired band

The vestigial obliterated urachus forms the median umbilical ligament. Obliterated umbilical arteries form the paired medial umbilical ligaments

Clinical issues

  • Infection, pain, recurrent UTI, discharge
  • Diverticulum - recurrent UTI and stone formation from stasus
  • Patent - leakage from umbilicus
  • Urachal carcinoma - **adenocarcinoma
    • Primary bladder adenoCA is rare

Ddx

  • Vitelline cyst: Failure in complete obliteration of omphalomesenteric duct

Space of Retzius

  • AKA retropubic space AKA prevesical space
  • Avascular portion of the extraperitoneal compartment w/ loose connective and adipose tissues
  • Contains the median umbilical ligament
  • Boundaries
    • Anterior transversalis, anterior abd wall, and pubic symphisis
    • Posteriorly the bladder
    • Laterally the pubic bones and fascia of obturator internus mm
    • Inferior the puboprostatic ligaments or pubovesical ligaments and superior fascia of the levator ani muscle
    • Superior extends to the level of the umbilicus
  • Named for Anders Retzius (Swedish prof of anatomy in late 18 thru 19th century)
  • Important for identifying extraperitoneal bladder rupture (most common 80-90% of cases) and usually d/t pelvic fx or penetrating trauma
  • Contrast confined to space of Retzius forms the molar tooth sign outlining the space (in a simple extraperitoneal rupture)