Epispadias is an uncommon congenital anomaly in which the urethra opens on the dorsal, or upper, surface of the penis instead of at the tip. In the more severe form in males, the opening can extend along the entire length of the penis, and in females, the urethra may open between the clitoris and the labia. On ultrasound, epispadias may be identified on prenatal imaging, particularly when associated with bladder exstrophy, a more complex condition where the bladder is exposed on the outside of the abdomen. Postnatal ultrasound of the urinary system is important to assess for associated kidney and bladder abnormalities, as epispadias can be part of a spectrum of urogenital malformations.
Sonography Term