The prune belly syndrome--a possible pathogenesis.

Several pathogenetic mechanisms have been suggested to explain the syndrome of deficiency of anterior abdominal muscles and genitourinary abnormalities which is usually seen in males. We have recently seen four such cases, two males and two females, all of which showed obstruction of the lower urinary tract, with dilatation proximally. We wish to suggest that the atrophy of abdominal muscles occurs following venous infarction, due to gross over-distension of the abdomen.