The urinary tract anomalies associated with agenesis of the abdominal walls.

Abstract Urinary tract anomalies are frequently associated in a syndrome with absent abdominal walls and undescended testicles. This would appear to be a widespread error in mesenchymal development. The urinary tract anomalies are consistent and a dilation of this system occurs. Typical of the condition is a posterior bulge of prostatic urethra often with filling of the utriculus masculinus. Cases with severe involvement die in infancy, but cases have been recorded surviving until late in life. Eight cases are described. One of these cases has been followed-up for 11 years. X-rays from five of the cases are illustrated. Two of the severely involved infants had a megalourethra found by post-mortem radiology. A ninth case of absent abdominal muscles without urinary tract anomalies is discussed.