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Transvaginal ultrasonography in detection of cervical incompetence
Author(s) -
Podobnik M.,
Podgajski M.,
Gebauer B.,
Ciglar 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.abs28-21.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cervical canal , cervix , gestation , abortion , amniotic sac , obstetrics , pregnancy , cervical cerclage , ultrasound , cervical insufficiency , gynecology , amniotic fluid , fetus , radiology , cancer , biology , genetics
Background: To examine the relationship between transvaginal ultrasound cervical changes and pregnancy outcome in women at risk of cervical incompetence and preterm delivery. Methods: In 100 pregnancies with clinical and ultrasonic signs of cervical incompetence, the length of the cervix, the thickness of the anterior wall of a lower uterine segment and the width of the endo‐cervical canal have been evaluated ultrasonically. These parameters were followed longitudinally from the 10 to 36 week gestation in the healthy pregnancies and pregnancies at risk for cervical incompetence and preterm delivery. Results: In patients from 10 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 for cervical incompetence, 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 amniotic membrane herniated into the cervical canal. The frequency of preterm delivery was 60, 38 and 15% for cervical length of <10, 10–20, and 20–30 mm. Conclusions: A shortened cervix with decreased thickness of the anterior wall of lower uterine segment and dilated endo‐cervical canal shows a strong association with cervical incompetence and preterm birth.