Premium
P151Transvaginal ultrasonography in detection of cervical incompetency
Author(s) -
Podobnik M.,
Podgajski M.,
Ciglar S.,
Gebauer B.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2000.00004-1-150.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cervical canal , cervix , obstetrics , abortion , gestational age , ultrasound , pregnancy , gestation , gynecology , radiology , cancer , biology , genetics
Objectives To examine the relationship between transvaginal ultrasound cervical changes and pregnancy outcome in women at risk of cervical incompetency and preterm delivery. Method In 100 pregnancies with clinical and ultrasonic signs of cervical incompetency, the length of the cervix, the thickness of the anterior wall of a lower uterine segment and the width of the endocervical canal have been evaluated ultrasonically. These parameters were followed longitudinally from the 10th to 36th gestational week in the healthy pregnancies and pregnancies at risk of cervical incompetency and preterm delivery. Results In patients from 10 weeks to 14 weeks the cervix is significantly longer than in the 25–36 week group and the anterior wall of the lower uterine segment in the 10–14 week group is significantly thicker than in the 20–36 week group. In pregnancies at risk of cervical incompetency, cervical lengths and wall thickness were significantly different from those in comparable controls. Forty‐five percent of the patients in the at‐risk group, with cervical cerclage, delivered at 37.5 weeks and 8.5% of pregnancies ended in abortion when the amnictic membrane herniated into the cervical canal. The frequencies of preterm delivery were 60%, 38% and 15% for cervical lengths of < 10 mm, 10–20 mm and 20–30 mm. Conclusion A shortened cervix with decreased thickness of the anterior wall of lower uterine segment and dilatated endocervical canal shows a strong association with cervical incompetency and preterm birth.