The persisting mesonephric duct syndrome: the description of a new syndrome.

Persistence of the mesonephric duct is a well recognized but uncommon abnormality that results in vasoureteral fusion. This anomaly may be accompanied by rectal malformations and disturbances of renal ascent or morphology. The literature on persistence of the mesonephric duct was reviewed and the data were correlated with our understanding of embryogenesis in an attempt to understand the relationship between these seemingly unrelated anomalies. It is concluded that the triad of persistence of the mesonephric duct, rectal anomalies and anomalies of renal ascent or morphology may be the result of a common embryologic event and should be regarded as representing a distinct syndrome. A theory to explain this syndrome is proposed.