Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine · 1988 · 52 citations · 0 references
MedicineGynecologyObstetricsGynecologic UltrasoundReproductive UltrasonographyUrodynamicsCervical AnatomyCervical DilationCervical DisordersCervical ImagingCervical UltrasonographyCervical UltrasoundCervical Canal AssessmentCervical Canal EvaluationCervical Canal VisualizationCervical Examination Findings
The study emphasizes that multiple sonographic observations are required to detect dynamic changes in cervical canal dilatation in suspected incompetent cervix cases. Rapid dynamic changes in cervical canal dilatation were observed in 15 of 56 patients, with the canal sometimes fully closed and remaining closed for minutes, indicating that infrequent sonographic assessment can miss incompetent cervix.
In 15 of 56 patients with incompetent cervix, rapid changes in the degree of dilatation of the cervical canal were observed during sonographic examination, with the same degree of bladder distension. In ten of those 15 patients, the canal was seen to be completely closed at some point during the examination. Because of these rapid dynamic changes in the dilatation of the cervical canal, it is necessary to observe the cervical portion of the uterus several times during the sonographic examination, especially in patients suspected to have incompetent cervix. It is possible for the cervical canal to remain closed for several minutes during the examination. Incompetent cervix can go undetected if the cervix is not observed frequently throughout the sonographic examination.