ABSTRACT
Objectives To perform a preliminary investigation into
the use of elastography for cervical assessment, in order
to determine the effectiveness of this method for the
evaluation of cervical consistency.
Methods Elastography of the uterine cervix was performed
in 29 patients before induction of labor, with
tissue surrounding the internal os described using a
numeric scale called the elastography index (EI). A color
map from purple to red was produced with the hardest
tissues displayed as purple and assigned a score of 0 points
and progressively softer tissues displayed as blue (1 point),
green (2 points), yellow (3 points) and red (4 points). The
EI of tissue around the internal os, in the middle part
of the cervical canal and around the external os were
analyzed in relation to the success of induction of labor
using the t-test.
Results The mean EI of the internal os in the group of
patients with successful induction of labor was 1.23, while
in the group with failed induction of labor it was 0.39
(Student’s t-test, P = 0.024). No difference was found for
the EI of the middle part of the cervical canal or for the
EI of the external os in relation to the success of induction
of labor (P > 0.05).
Conclusion Elastography of the uterine cervix may be an
objective method for assessment of softening of tissue in
the region of the internal os before induction of labor.
Standardization of the cervical properties observed on
elastography during pregnancy may help to guide the
use of prostaglandins or oxytocin for induction of labor.
Copyright 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley &
Sons, Ltd.