B-mode ultrasonography and gray scale histogram for evaluation of the nuchal ligament in Quarter horse / Ultrassonografia modo-B e histograma em escala de cinza para avaliação do ligamento nucal em equinos da raça Quarto de Milha

The gray scale histogram (GSH) makes it possible to measure the amount and distribution of gray shade frequencies, providing quantitative information on both echogenicity and echotexture of tissues. There is a need to diminish the subjectivity of the ultrasound images of the nuchal ligament (NL). This work proposes to evaluate the NL by ultrasound B-mode GSH images in different ages of Quarter horses. It used 15 healthy Quarter horses, which were classified by age into three different groups: "baby" (1), "sobreano" (2) and "adult" (3). The animals were submitted to chemical restraint for the ultrasound examination. Subsequently, the GSH tool was used in each image for statistical analysis. There was a significant difference between Mean and Mode between groups. Group 1 differed significantly when compared to Group 2 and 3. Group 2 presented superior echogenicity to Group 1 and 3. The height of the NL did not vary considerably between groups. GSH indicated that the echogenicity of NL in Quarter horses varies with age.(AU)

O histograma em escala de cinza (HEC) possibilita a mensuração da quantidade e distribuição da frequência de tonalidades de cinza, fornecendo informações quantitativas, tanto sobre a ecogenicidade quanto a ecotextura dos tecidos. Havendo a necessidade de diminuir a subjetividade das imagens ultrassonográficas do ligamento nucal (LN), esse trabalho propôs avaliar o LN por imagens ultrassonográficas modo-B pelo HEC em diferentes idades de cavalos da raça Quarto de Milha. Utilizou 15 cavalos da raça Quarto de Milha saudáveis os quais foram classificados por idade em três grupos diferentes: "baby" (1), "sobreano" (2) e "adulto" (3). Os animais foram submetidos a contenção química para a realização do exame ultrassonográfico. Posteriormente, a ferramenta HEC foi empregada em cada imagem para análise estatística. Houve diferença significativa entre as variáveis "Mean" e "Mode" entre os grupos. O Grupo 1 diferenciou significativamente quando comparado ao Grupo 2 e 3. O Grupo 2 apresentou ecogenicidade superior ao Grupo 1 e 3. Quanto à altura do LN não teve variação considerável entre os grupos. O HEC indicou que a ecogenicidade do LN em cavalos Quarto de Milha varia conforme a idade.(AU)

Three-dimensional volumetric gray-scale uterine cervix histogram prediction of days to delivery in full term pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to figure out whether volumetric gray-scale histogram difference between anterior and posterior cervix can indicate the extent of cervical consistency. METHODS: We collected data of 95 patients who were appropriate for vaginal delivery with 36th to 37th weeks of gestational age from September 2010 to October 2011 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Ansan Hospital. Patients were excluded who had one of the followings: Cesarean section, labor induction, premature rupture of membrane. Thirty-four patients were finally enrolled. The patients underwent evaluation of the cervix through Bishop score, cervical length, cervical volume, three-dimensional (3D) cervical volumetric gray-scale histogram. The interval days from the cervix evaluation to the delivery day were counted. We compared to 3D cervical volumetric gray-scale histogram, Bishop score, cervical length, cervical volume with interval days from the evaluation of the cervix to the delivery. RESULTS: Gray-scale histogram difference between anterior and posterior cervix was significantly correlated to days to delivery. Its correlation coefficient (R) was 0.500 (P = 0.003). The cervical length was significantly related to the days to delivery. The correlation coefficient (R) and P-value between them were 0.421 and 0.013. However, anterior lip histogram, posterior lip histogram, total cervical volume, Bishop score were not associated with days to delivery (P >0.05). CONCLUSION: By using gray-scale histogram difference between anterior and posterior cervix and cervical length correlated with the days to delivery. These methods can be utilized to better help predict a cervical consistency.

Significance of Gray-Level Histogram of the Uterine Cervix as a Predictor of Preterm Birth in Pregnant Women with Preterm Labor / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the value of a gray-level histogram of the cervix as a predictor of preterm birth in women who admitted for preterm labor. METHODS: Ninety-seven women who admitted Chonnam national university for preterm labor were enrolled in this prospective study. A transvaginal ultrasonography for measurement of cervical length (CL), gray-scale histogram and cervical volume was performed when patients were admitted. Anterior and posterior cervical walls and AP (anterior and posterior) difference in MGL (mean gray level between anterior and posterior) were checked. And we analyzed the relationship between the value and preterm birth. RESULTS: The overall rate of preterm birth before 37 weeks was 53.6% and after 37 weeks was 46.4%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that not only cervix length (P=0.003; odds ratio [OR], 0.189; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.064-0.560) but also anterior histogram (P=0.028; OR, 0.319; 95% CI, 0.115-0.884) was independent predictor of preterm birth before 37 weeks. The receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curves were analyzed for the anterior histogram, a value of 85.9 was the best cut-off value to determine the preterm birth. The areas under the ROC curve indicate that the variable provides a prognostic value for the prediction for preterm birth. To predict a preterm birth, anterior histogram had 78.8% sensitivity and 46.7% specificity. CONCLUSION: Gray-level histogram of the uterine cervix may predict the preterm birth in pregnant women with preterm labor.