Urachal carcinoma: pathologic and imaging findings

Objective: To investigate pathologic characteristics and the value of imaging findings in diagnosing urachal carcinoma.Methods: The imaging findings in 4 cases examined by CT or MRI with pathologically-proved urachal carcinoma were collected.The image characteristics were retrospectively analyzed and compared with histological features.Results: In the 4 cases of urachal carcinoma,the foci observed in CT or MRI imaging were located at the urachal area in the Retzius space of mid-abdominal line,with 3 cases on the top or anterior wall of the bladder at urachus-bladder junction,1 case at the upper end of urachus.Among the 4 cases of urachal carcinoma,there was 1 case with solid changes,and 3 cases with cystic changes.All the cases had central or peripheral dotted calcification.All the 4 cases showed different degrees of enhancement.Conclusion: CT or MRI is an effective imaging modality in the localization and qualitative diagnosis of urachal carcinoma.Moreover,it can provide more anatomical information for surgery.