Transvaginal sonographic evaluation of the cervix and lower uterine segment in women with threatened preterm delivery

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix and lower uterine segment for the prediction of preterm delivery in women presenting with threatened preterm delivery. 50 pregnant women with threatened preterm delivery were clinically evaluated by digital and transvaginal ultrasonographic examinations. The ultrasonographic parameters evaluated included length, the presence of endocervical funneling, and lower uterine segment thickness. The diagnostic indexes and predictive values of these ultrasonographic parameters were compared to determine the best ultrasonographic parameter for prediction of preterm delivery. El- Minia University Hospital. The preterm delivery rate was 38%. As regards the transvaginal ultrasonographic parameters used in this study, significant differences were found between preterm and term delivery for the presence of funneling [percentage 63.1% vs 32.2%, P < 0.01], cervical length [mean values 19.49 +/- 4.73 mm vs 30.35 +/- 5.51 mm, P < 0.001] and anterior lower uterine segment thickness [mean values 5.82 +/- 1.34 mm vs 9.24 +/- 3.04 mm, P < .01] respectively. In contrast, there were no significant differences in cervical dilatation and effacement between preterm and term delivery [P > 0.05 for each]. In comparing the diagnostic indexes end predictive values of the ultrasonographic parameters used in this study, the cervical length had the highest diagnostic indexes and predictive values for preterm delivery