eMedicine Specialties > Radiology > Pediatrics

Prune Belly Syndrome: Multimedia

Author: Beverly P Wood, MD, PhD, Professor Emerita, Departments of Radiology and Pediatrics, Division of Medical Education, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Professor of Clinical Radiology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 2, 2009

Multimedia

The abdomen of an infant with prune belly syndrom...
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Media file 1: The abdomen of an infant with prune belly syndrome shows marked distention of the abdomen and bulging flanks secondary to a large urinary system and the absence of abdominal wall musculature.
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The abdomen of an infant with prune belly syndrom...

The abdomen of an infant with prune belly syndrome shows marked distention of the abdomen and bulging flanks secondary to a large urinary system and the absence of abdominal wall musculature.

Note the small lung volumes and constriction of t...
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Media file 2: Note the small lung volumes and constriction of the upper thorax. Flaring of the lower ribs secondary to distention of the abdomen is seen. Infants with prune belly syndrome may develop severe respiratory distress secondary to the thoracic limitation.
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Note the small lung volumes and constriction of t...

Note the small lung volumes and constriction of the upper thorax. Flaring of the lower ribs secondary to distention of the abdomen is seen. Infants with prune belly syndrome may develop severe respiratory distress secondary to the thoracic limitation.

Ultrasound examination of the kidneys shows bilat...
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Media file 3: Ultrasound examination of the kidneys shows bilateral hyperechoic kidneys with poor development of the calyces and dilated tortuous ureters.
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Ultrasound examination of the kidneys shows bilat...

Ultrasound examination of the kidneys shows bilateral hyperechoic kidneys with poor development of the calyces and dilated tortuous ureters.

High-detail sonogram of an involved kidney shows ...
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Media file 4: High-detail sonogram of an involved kidney shows a hyperechoic cortex, a dysplastic collecting system, and cortical cysts.
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High-detail sonogram of an involved kidney shows ...

High-detail sonogram of an involved kidney shows a hyperechoic cortex, a dysplastic collecting system, and cortical cysts.

In prune belly syndrome, an abdominal sonogram us...
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Media file 5: In prune belly syndrome, an abdominal sonogram usually shows dilated ureters filling the entire abdomen.
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In prune belly syndrome, an abdominal sonogram us...

In prune belly syndrome, an abdominal sonogram usually shows dilated ureters filling the entire abdomen.

On CT, the ureter in this patient with prune bell...
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Media file 6: On CT, the ureter in this patient with prune belly syndrome fills the entire abdomen.
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On CT, the ureter in this patient with prune bell...

On CT, the ureter in this patient with prune belly syndrome fills the entire abdomen.

Infants with prune belly syndrome show early and ...
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Media file 7: Infants with prune belly syndrome show early and marked bilateral vesicoureteral reflux. Significantly more dilatation of the lower ureters exists.
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Infants with prune belly syndrome show early and ...

Infants with prune belly syndrome show early and marked bilateral vesicoureteral reflux. Significantly more dilatation of the lower ureters exists.

A characteristic bladder in prune belly syndrome ...
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Media file 8: A characteristic bladder in prune belly syndrome with vertical orientation, wide trigone, and a urachal remnant. The urethra shows elongation of the posterior urethra with a triangular deformity of the prostatic urethra related to the absent posterior lobe of the prostate.
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A characteristic bladder in prune belly syndrome ...

A characteristic bladder in prune belly syndrome with vertical orientation, wide trigone, and a urachal remnant. The urethra shows elongation of the posterior urethra with a triangular deformity of the prostatic urethra related to the absent posterior lobe of the prostate.

Typical urethra of prune belly syndrome
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Media file 9: Typical urethra of prune belly syndrome
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Typical urethra of prune belly syndrome

Typical urethra of prune belly syndrome

Note the dilated and hypotonic ureters filling th...
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Media file 10: Note the dilated and hypotonic ureters filling the abdomen in an infant with prune belly syndrome.
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Note the dilated and hypotonic ureters filling th...

Note the dilated and hypotonic ureters filling the abdomen in an infant with prune belly syndrome.

Both prebirth and postnatally, the motion of the ...
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Media file 11: Both prebirth and postnatally, the motion of the diaphragm is restricted by the large size of the abdomen. Because of this effect, most infants with prune belly syndrome have hypoplastic lungs.
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Both prebirth and postnatally, the motion of the ...

Both prebirth and postnatally, the motion of the diaphragm is restricted by the large size of the abdomen. Because of this effect, most infants with prune belly syndrome have hypoplastic lungs.

More on Prune Belly Syndrome

Overview: Prune Belly Syndrome
Imaging: Prune Belly Syndrome
Follow-up: Prune Belly Syndrome
Multimedia: Prune Belly Syndrome
References
Further Reading
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References

  1. Eagle JF, Barrett GS. Congenital deficiency of abdominal musculature with associated genitourinary abnormalities: A syndrome. Report of 9 cases. Pediatrics. Nov 1950;6(5):721-36. [Medline].

  2. Wakhlu AK, Wakhlu A, Tandon RK, Kureel SN. Congenital megalourethra. J Pediatr Surg. Mar 1996;31(3):441-3. [Medline].

  3. Woods AG, Brandon DH. Prune belly syndrome. A focused physical assessment. Adv Neonatal Care. Jun 2007;7(3):132-43; quiz 144-5. [Medline].

  4. Siebert JR, Walker MP. Familial recurrence of urethral stenosis/atresia. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. Aug 2009;85(8):715-9. [Medline].

  5. Laborie LB, Mackay DJ, Temple IK, Molven A, Søvik O, Njølstad PR. DNA hypomethylation, transient neonatal diabetes, and prune belly sequence in one of two identical twins. Eur J Pediatr. Jun 13 2009;[Medline].

  6. Leeners B, Sauer I, Schefels J, et al. Prune-belly syndrome: therapeutic options including in utero placement of a vesicoamniotic shunt. J Clin Ultrasound. Nov-Dec 2000;28(9):500-7. [Medline].

  7. Wheatley JM, Stephens FD, Hutson JM. Prune-belly syndrome: ongoing controversies regarding pathogenesis and management. Semin Pediatr Surg. May 1996;5(2):95-106. [Medline].

  8. Woolf AS, Thiruchelvam N. Congenital obstructive uropathy: its origin and contribution to end-stage renal disease in children. Adv Ren Replace Ther. Jul 2001;8(3):157-63. [Medline].

  9. Kupferman JC, Druschel CM, Kupchik GS. Increased prevalence of renal and urinary tract anomalies in children with Down Syndrome. Pediatrics. Sep 14 2009;[Medline].

  10. Vemulakonda VM, Kopp RP, Sorensen MD, Grady RW. Recurrent nephrogenic adenoma in a 10-year-old boy with prune belly syndrome : a case presentation. Pediatr Surg Int. May 2008;24(5):605-7. [Medline].

  11. Cromie WJ. Implications of antenatal ultrasound screening in the incidence of major genitourinary malformations. Semin Pediatr Surg. Nov 2001;10(4):204-11. [Medline].

  12. Kaefer M, Peters CA, Retik AB, Benacerraf BB. Increased renal echogenicity: a sonographic sign for differentiating between obstructive and nonobstructive etiologies of in utero bladder distension. J Urol. Sep 1997;158(3 Pt 2):1026-9. [Medline].

  13. Weiner Z, Goldstein I, Bombard A, Applewhite L, Itzkovits-Eldor J. Screening for structural fetal anomalies during the nuchal translucency ultrasound examination. Am J Obstet Gynecol. Aug 2007;197(2):181.e1-5. [Medline].

  14. Noh PH, Cooper CS, Winkler AC, et al. Prognostic factors for long-term renal function in boys with the prune-belly syndrome. J Urol. Oct 1999;162(4):1399-401. [Medline].

  15. Saxena AK, Brinkmann OA. Unique features of prune belly syndrome in laparoscopic surgery. J Am Coll Surg. Aug 2007;205(2):217-21. [Medline].

  16. Levine E, Taub PJ, Franco I. Laparoscopic-assisted abdominal wall reconstruction in prune-belly syndrome. Ann Plast Surg. Feb 2007;58(2):162-5. [Medline].

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Further Reading

Prune Belly Syndrome (Urology)

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Keywords

prune belly syndrome, congenital absence of abdominal musculature, deficiency of abdominal musculature, Eagle-Barrett syndrome, triad syndrome

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Beverly P Wood, MD, PhD, Professor Emerita, Departments of Radiology and Pediatrics, Division of Medical Education, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Professor of Clinical Radiology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Beverly P Wood, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Women Radiologists, American College of Radiology, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Medical Association, American Roentgen Ray Society, Association of University Radiologists, Radiological Society of North America, and Society for Pediatric Radiology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Robert J Starshak, MD, Medical Director, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Falls Medical Group
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Bernard D Coombs, MB, ChB, PhD, Consulting Staff, Department of Specialist Rehabilitation Services, Hutt Valley District Health Board, New Zealand
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Robert M Krasny, MD, Resolution Imaging Medical Corporation
Robert M Krasny, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Roentgen Ray Society and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

John Karani, MBBS, FRCR, Clinical Director of Radiology and Consultant Radiologist, Department of Radiology, King's College Hospital, London
John Karani, MBBS, FRCR is a member of the following medical societies: British Institute of Radiology, British Society of Interventional Radiology, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology, European Society of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America, and Royal College of Radiologists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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