Diagnosis and Medical Management of Prune Belly (Triad) Syndrome

Incidence of prune belly syndrome (PBS) has remained stable for several decades; advances have been made in prenatal diagnosis with the aid of advanced US and magnetic resonance technology. Use of fetal MRI as an adjunct to US, especially in the setting of oligohydramnios, anhydramnios, and maternal obesity, makes additional imaging methods potentially beneficial. MRI is currently accepted as a valuable technique for fetal anomalies assessment. Addition of three- and four-dimensional US has improved specificity to the traditional two-dimensional imaging. The following discusses the in utero assessment, neonatal and childhood evaluation, and management of PBS. This review contains 5 figures, 2 tables, and 48 references. Key Words: Eagle-Barrett, fast-scanning MRI, fetal ultrasonography, in utero hydronephrosis, prune belly syndrome, triad syndrome, vesicoamniotic shunt,pediatric renal insufficiency