The “manta ray” pelvis

Excerpt

A “manta ray” (Fig. 1) has been used as a metaphor for the radiographic appearance of the diastatic pubic symphysis in patients with some form of the epispadias-bladder/cloacal exstrophy complex (Fig. 2) [1]. The sacrum and iliac wings recall the manta ray’s head and body, with the widely spaced pubic rami forming its cephalic flaps. The degree of pubic separation increases with age and depends on the severity of the midline fusion defect. Epispadias is accompanied by the least pubic diastasis, with classic exstrophy (epispadias plus bladder exstrophy) wider, and cloacal exstrophy (which includes prolapse of intestines) showing the widest gap [2].

…