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Quantitative ultrasonic tissue characterization of the cervix – a new predictor for prematurity?
Author(s) -
Tekesin I.,
MeyerWittkopf M.,
Heller G.,
Steinfeldt B.,
Sierra F.,
Schmidt S.
Publication year - 2001
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.1469-0705.2001.0180s1054.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cervix , gestational age , ultrasound , uterus , fetus , ultrasonic sensor , densitometry , obstetrics , gynecology , pregnancy , radiology , cancer , biology , genetics
Background: Since the incidence of premature delivery has remained constant, despite intensive safeguard methods over the last decade, the texture features of the uterine cervix were evaluated using quantitative sonographic gray level analysis at different gestational ages (GA). Materials and methods: For this purpose quantitative ultrasonic tissue densitometry of the uterine cervix was obtained from 30 asymptotic female patients (group A, mean: 30.3 GA) and compared with values obtained from 16 symptomatic female patients (group B, mean: 29.5 GA) with uterine contractions and shortening of the cervix at similar gestational ages. Once the two‐dimensional transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length was completed a region of interest of constant size was defined in the mid‐section of the posterior wall and the tissue‐specific gray scale distribution was determined. Results: Quantitative ultrasonic tissue characterization of uterine cervix was feasible in all 46 patients at all gestational ages. In patients with premature contractions and shortening of cervix, the average gray scale values were found to be statistically reduced in comparison with those obtained from asymptotic patients. These results showed good reproducibility and intraobserver variability and were found to be independent from the measured cervical length. Conclusion: Our results prove that quantitative ultrasonic tissue characterization of the uterine cervix might serve as a new parameter for predicting premature delivery in the future.