Cloacal deformities
Disease Information
Tests
How will my physician diagnose a cloacal deformity in my child?
In some instances, cloacal deformities can be diagnosed before birth with a prenatal ultrasound and may be confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After birth, these diagnoses may be confirmed or determined by physical examination.
Your physician will likely conduct a careful analysis of structures of the upper urinary system and sacrum, as well as perineal and pelvic anatomy, using some combination of the following diagnostic imaging studies:
- computerized tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan)
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- endoscopy - insertion of a small instrument called an endoscope to view the interior of a hollow organ, such as the rectum, urethra or vagina
- abdominal ultrasound (also called sonography) - an imaging method used to view the anatomy of the internal organs as they function, and to assess blood flow
Your child may also be referred to undergo evaluation for esophageal, vertebral, tracheal, radial or cardiac anomalies that are sometimes associated with cloacal deformities.
