Overview
A urachal diverticulum is a rare birth defect involving a small pouch or pocket that forms at the top of the bladder. It develops from a structure called the urachus, which is a tube that connects the bladder to the belly button before birth. Normally, this tube closes completely before a baby is born. When part of it stays open near the bladder, it creates a diverticulum — a small sac that bulges outward from the bladder wall. This condition is also sometimes called a vesicourachal diverticulum or urachal remnant diverticulum. Most people with a urachal diverticulum have no symptoms at all, and the condition is often found by accident during imaging done for another reason. When symptoms do occur, they usually involve the urinary tract. Urine can collect in the pouch, which makes it easier for bacteria to grow and cause repeated bladder infections. Some people experience pain in the lower belly, trouble urinating, or blood in the urine. Treatment depends on whether the diverticulum is causing problems. If there are no symptoms, doctors may simply monitor the condition over time. When infections or other complications occur, surgery to remove the pouch is usually recommended and is often very effective. In children, treatment is generally advised to prevent long-term problems with the bladder and kidneys.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Repeated urinary tract infectionsPain or discomfort in the lower bellyBlood in the urineDifficulty urinating or weak urine streamFeeling like the bladder does not empty fullyFrequent need to urinateAbdominal mass or swelling near the belly button in some casesDischarge or wetness near the belly button in infants
Clinical phenotype terms (8)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Urachal diverticulum.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Urachal diverticulum.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Urachal diverticulum.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Does my diverticulum need to be treated now, or can we monitor it over time?,What signs or symptoms should prompt me to seek care right away?,What type of surgery would you recommend, and what is the recovery like?,Is there any risk of this coming back after surgery?,Could this condition affect my kidneys or bladder function in the long term?,How often should I have follow-up imaging or check-ups?,Is there any increased risk of bladder cancer associated with this condition?
Common questions about Urachal diverticulum
What is Urachal diverticulum?
A urachal diverticulum is a rare birth defect involving a small pouch or pocket that forms at the top of the bladder. It develops from a structure called the urachus, which is a tube that connects the bladder to the belly button before birth. Normally, this tube closes completely before a baby is born. When part of it stays open near the bladder, it creates a diverticulum — a small sac that bulges outward from the bladder wall. This condition is also sometimes called a vesicourachal diverticulum or urachal remnant diverticulum. Most people with a urachal diverticulum have no symptoms at all,
How is Urachal diverticulum inherited?
Urachal diverticulum follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.