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Short cervix detection in pregnant women by transabdominal sonography with post-void technique

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic properties of transabdominal sonography with the post-void technique for cervical length measurement.

Methods

This study was a prospective cohort study. The inclusion criteria were pregnant women aged 18–40 years with gestational age of 18–23 completed weeks. Transabdominal sonography with vertical bladder depth of less than 5 cm and transvaginal cervical length measurements were carried out by a single experienced sonographer.

Results

There were 307 eligible pregnant women. The mean age of all subjects was 29.0 years. The mean cervical length obtained through transabdominal and transvaginal measurement was 3.33 and 3.47 cm, respectively. Ten patients (3.3 %) were identified as having a short cervix using transvaginal sonography, and 12 patients (3.9 %) were identified using transabdominal sonography.

Conclusion

Transabdominal sonography with vertical bladder depth of less than 5 cm performed better compared with transvaginal sonography. It may not be necessary to perform transvaginal sonography if transabdominal sonography reveals the cervical length to be more than 2.5 cm.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Associate Professor Kittisak Sawanyawisuth, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand (Writing Manuscript Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University) for kind assistance in manuscript preparation, and Mr. Dylan Southard (USA) for English language correction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Kiattisak Kongwattanakul, Piyamas Saksiriwuttho, Ratana Komwilaisak & Pisake Lumbiganon

Authors
  1. Kiattisak Kongwattanakul
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  2. Piyamas Saksiriwuttho
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  3. Ratana Komwilaisak
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  4. Pisake Lumbiganon
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kiattisak Kongwattanakul.

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Ethical statements

The study protocol was approved by Khon Kaen University Ethics Committee (HE561490).

Conflict of interest

The authors report no potential conflicts of interest.

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Kongwattanakul, K., Saksiriwuttho, P., Komwilaisak, R. et al. Short cervix detection in pregnant women by transabdominal sonography with post-void technique. J Med Ultrasonics 43, 519–522 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-016-0735-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-016-0735-8

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