Acute presentation of infected urachal cysts: case report and review of diagnosis and therapeutic interventions

Abstract

Urachal remnants, although relatively rare, masquerade as a large number of diverse disorders leading to a high rate of misdiagnosis. A typical case is reported in which a 10-year-old boy presented to the Emergency Department twice before being incorrectly diagnosed with a pelvic or lower abdominal periappendiceal abscess. Definitive diagnosis and treatment of an infected urachal cyst were made intraoperatively. A review and discussion of urachal remnants is presented, and a diagnostic algorithm and treatment plan is offered for this entity.