Vol 86, No 6 (2015)
ARTICLES
Elastography for predicting preterm delivery in patients with short cervical length at 18-22 weeks of gestation: a prospective observational
study
Sławomir Woźniak, Piotr Czuczwar, Piotr Szkodziak, Wojciech Wrona, Tomasz Paszkowski
DOI: 10.17772/gp/2401
·
Ginekol Pol 2015;86(6).
Vol 86, No 6 (2015)
ARTICLES
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate the potential value of elastographic evaluation of the internal
cervical os at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy in patients with short cervical length for prediction of preterm delivery
(PTD).
Material and methods: This prospective observational study included 109 patients with cervical length of ≤25 mm
at 18-22 weeks scan. Stiffness of the internal cervical os was assessed by elastography. Elastographic assessment
of the internal os was performed using a color map: red (soft), yellow (medium soft), blue (medium hard), and purple
(hard). If two colors were visible in the region of the internal os, the softer option was noted. The following outcome
measures were analyzed: percentage of PTDs in various categories of elastographic cervical assessment, sensitivity,
specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) of elastography in predicting PTDs.
Additionally, ROC curves were constructed for elastography and cervical length for predicting PTDs.
Results: Forty-five cases of PTDs (<37 weeks of pregnancy) were found in the studied population. The number of
PTDs was significantly higher in the red group, than in the blue and purple groups. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV
and PPV for the assessment of both, red and yellow internal os for predicting preterm delivery were 82.2%, 75.0%,
84.0% and 72.5% respectively. The cut-off value for elastography suggested inclusion of both, red and yellow
(warm) colors as predictors of PTD.
Conclusions: Elastographic evaluation of the internal cervical os at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy in patients with
short cervical length may be useful in predicting PTD.
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate the potential value of elastographic evaluation of the internal
cervical os at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy in patients with short cervical length for prediction of preterm delivery
(PTD).
Material and methods: This prospective observational study included 109 patients with cervical length of ≤25 mm
at 18-22 weeks scan. Stiffness of the internal cervical os was assessed by elastography. Elastographic assessment
of the internal os was performed using a color map: red (soft), yellow (medium soft), blue (medium hard), and purple
(hard). If two colors were visible in the region of the internal os, the softer option was noted. The following outcome
measures were analyzed: percentage of PTDs in various categories of elastographic cervical assessment, sensitivity,
specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) of elastography in predicting PTDs.
Additionally, ROC curves were constructed for elastography and cervical length for predicting PTDs.
Results: Forty-five cases of PTDs (<37 weeks of pregnancy) were found in the studied population. The number of
PTDs was significantly higher in the red group, than in the blue and purple groups. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV
and PPV for the assessment of both, red and yellow internal os for predicting preterm delivery were 82.2%, 75.0%,
84.0% and 72.5% respectively. The cut-off value for elastography suggested inclusion of both, red and yellow
(warm) colors as predictors of PTD.
Conclusions: Elastographic evaluation of the internal cervical os at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy in patients with
short cervical length may be useful in predicting PTD.
Keywords
elastography / preterm delivery / short cervix / ultrasound /
Title
Elastography for predicting preterm delivery in patients with short cervical length at 18-22 weeks of gestation: a prospective observational
study
Journal
Ginekologia Polska
Issue
Vol 86, No 6 (2015)
Page views
1044
Article views/downloads
1362
DOI
10.17772/gp/2401
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2015;86(6).
Keywords
elastography / preterm delivery / short cervix / ultrasound /
Authors
Sławomir Woźniak
Piotr Czuczwar
Piotr Szkodziak
Wojciech Wrona
Tomasz Paszkowski