Background: Premature cervical softening and shortening may be considered an early mechanical failure that predisposes to preterm birth. Preliminary clinical studies demonstrate that cervical elastography may be able to quantify this phenomenon and predict spontaneous preterm delivery.
Objective: To explore a new approach for cervix elasticity and length measurements with tactile-ultrasound probe.
Methods: Cervix probe has tactile array and ultrasound transducer designed to apply controllable load to cervix and acquire stress-strain data for calculation of cervical elasticity (Young's modulus) and cervical length for four cervix sectors. Average values, standard deviations, intraclass correlation coefficients and the 95% limits of agreement (Bland-Altman plots) were estimated.
Results: Ten non-pregnant and ten pregnant women were examined with the probe. The study with non-pregnant women demonstrated a reliable acquisition of the tactile signals. The ultrasound signals had a prolonged appearance; identification of the internal os of the cervix in these signals was not reliable. The study with pregnant women with the gestational age of 25.4 ± 2.3 weeks demonstrated reliable data acquisition with real-time visualization of the ultrasound signals. Average values for cervical elasticity and standard deviations of 19.7 ± 15.4 kPa and length of 30.7 ± 6.6 mm were calculated based on two measurements per 4 sectors. Measurement repeatability calculated as intraclass correlation coefficients between two measurements at the same cervix sector on pregnant women was found to be 0.97 for cervical elasticity and 0.93 for the cervical length. The 95% limits of agreement of 1) cervical elasticity were from -22.4% to +14.9%, and 2) cervical length from -13.3% to +16.5%.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated clinically acceptable measurement performance and reproducibility. The availability of stress-strain data allowed the computation of cervical elasticity and length. This approach has the potential to provide cervical markers to predict spontaneous preterm delivery.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7055710 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojog.2020.101008 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Transvestibular Chondrolarynoplasty-Experimental Study in Cadavers.
J Voice
January 2025
Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, 04023-062, São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil. Electronic address:
Background: The neck, and specifically the prominence of the thyroid cartilage, can be considered a marker of male gender, which is often unwanted by transgender women. Chondrolaryngoplasty is traditionally performed using an open transcervical approach, which, while effective, leaves visible scars that can compromise patient satisfaction. Recent advancements, such as the transoral endoscopic vestibular approach (TOEVA), have emerged as promising alternatives, eliminating external scars and improving esthetic outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn alternative choice for overweight pediatric patient with femoral shaft fracture when rigid nail is contraindicated due to narrow intramedullary canal: Elastic stable intramedullary nail plus temporary external fixator.
J Orthop Sci
January 2025
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Electronic address:
Background: Length unstable femoral shaft fractures in school-aged children usually demand surgical treatment, but the optimal choice remains controversial, especially in overweight adolescents. This study aimed to compare the clinical results of locking compression plates (LCP) and elastic stable intramedullary nails (ESIN) combined with temporary external fixator (TEF) in school-aged children weighing over 50 kg.
Methods: Between January 2010 and January 2018, children over 50 kg with length unstable femoral shaft fracture treated with ESIN & EF in the authors' institute were included in this study.
Phytic Acid-Induced Gradient Hydrogels for Highly Sensitive and Broad Range Pressure Sensing.
Adv Mater
January 2025
Laboratory of Advanced Theranostic Materials and Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China.
Ionic conductive hydrogels have emerged as an excellent option for constructing dielectric layers of interfacial iontronic sensors. Among these, gradient ionic hydrogels, due to the intrinsic gradient elastic modulus, can achieve a wide range of pressure responses. However, the fabrication of gradient hydrogels with optimal mechanical and sensing properties remains a challenge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFManagement Modalities of Mandible Fracture and Dental Trauma in Pediatric Patients During Mixed Dentition Phase: A Series of Case Study.
Case Rep Dent
January 2025
Department of Dentistry, NEIGRIHMS (North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences), Shillong, India.
The prevalence of oromaxillofacial fracture in pediatric patients is comparatively less than in adults, which could be due to several inconclusive factors, such as infrequent exposure to high-contact sports games, rash driving of vehicles and motorbikes, alcohol consumption, and fist fights for personal reasons under the influence of alcohol. More importantly, most of the time, children are under the care of their parents till they reach an age of maturity. One more thing that everyone believes even today is the elasticity nature of their bones as well as their body weight during their growing stage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe significance of ultrasound parameters and clinical factors in predicting successful labor induction among nulliparous women.
J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med
December 2025
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia.
Objectives: To compare the values of ultrasound and clinical parameters for predicting outcomes of induction of labor (IOL) among healthy nulliparous women with a singleton, term cephalic pregnancy.
Methods: The cervical length, cervical strain elastography, posterior cervical angle, head-perineum distance, Bishop score, and maternal parameters were assessed before IOL with a combined method-Foley catheter and Misoprostol perorally. The main outcome was vaginal delivery.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!