Imaging Analysis of Cervical Elastography for Prediction of Successful Induction of Labor at Term

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine 2013-06, Vol.32 (6), p.937-946
• Main Authors: Hwang, Han Sung, Sohn, In Sook, Kwon, Han Sung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Cervical Ripening; Cervix Uteri - diagnostic imaging; Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological - statistics & numerical data; Elasticity Imaging Techniques - methods; Elasticity Imaging Techniques - statistics & numerical data; elastography; Female; Humans; image analysis; labor induction; Labor Onset; Labor, Induced - methods; Labor, Induced - statistics & numerical data; Pregnancy; Prognosis; Reproducibility of Results; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; ROC Curve; Sensitivity and Specificity; Term Birth; Ultrasonography, Prenatal - methods; Ultrasonography, Prenatal - statistics & numerical data; uterine cervix; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.7863/ultra.32.6.937

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of imaging analysis of cervical elastography to predict successful induction of labor in nulliparous women at term. Methods Successful labor induction was defined as onset of active labor within 9 hours or delivery within 24 hours. The Bishop score, cervical length, and cervical elastographic parameters, including cervical area, mean elastographic index, and cervical hard area, were measured and analyzed by the image analyzer. Results The areas under the curves for the cervical length, cervical area, Bishop score, mean elastographic index, and cervical hard area were 0.63, 0.64, 0.47, 0.68, and 0.70, respectively, for onset of active labor within 9 hours and 0.70, 0.68, 0.63, 0.71, and 0.76 for delivery within 24 hours. The combination of cervical length and elastographic data was more predictable for successful labor induction (P < .05). Conclusions Imaging analysis of cervical elastography is available to predict successful induction of labor.