American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 157, 73-76, Copyright © 1991 by American Roentgen Ray Society

ARTICLES

Sonography of the cervix during the third trimester of pregnancy: value of the transperineal approach

BS Hertzberg, JD Bowie, TM Weber, BA Carroll, MA Kliewer and SG Jordan
Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.

Transabdominal sonography reliably depicts the cervix during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, but cervical visualization becomes increasingly difficult as the third trimester progresses. To evaluate the possibility of using a perineal approach to bypass the fetus and image the cervix during the third trimester, we used transperineal sonography to image the cervix of 158 third-trimester patients in whom transabdominal visualization was inadequate. The internal os and upper cervix were successfully visualized on transperineal sonograms in all 158 patients, but the region of the external os was obscured by rectal gas in 22 (14%) cases. In some patients in whom the external portion of the cervix was obscured by bowel gas, the problem could be overcome by scanning with the patient in the lateral decubitus position or by rotating the patient. Transperineal sonography is an effective technique for imaging the cervix during the third trimester of pregnancy, allowing cervical visualization in most patients in whom transabdominal sonography of this area is unsuccessful.
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Jhobta, R. Kaur, R. Jhobta, A. Dabra, and S. Kochhar Fistula in Ano: Role of Transperineal and Transvaginal Sonography Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, November 1, 2006; 22(6): 375 - 381. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Zilianti, B. S. Hertzberg, and M. A. Kliewer Transperineal Versus Transvaginal Sonography During Pregnancy J. Ultrasound Med., January 1, 2002; 21(1): 101 - 102. [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. K. Stewart, J. McGee, and S. R. Wilson Transperineal and Transvaginal Sonography of Perianal Inflammatory Disease Am. J. Roentgenol., September 1, 2001; 177(3): 627 - 632. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. N. Robinson, K. E. Economy, B. B. Feinberg, and E. R. Norwitz CERVICAL HYDROSONOGRAPHY IN PREGNANCY TO ASSESS CERVICAL LENGTH BY TRANSABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND Obstet. Gynecol., December 1, 2000; 96(6): 1023 - 1025. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. B. CARR, K. SMITH, L. PARSONS, K. CHANSKY, and L. E. SHIELDS Ultrasonography for Cervical Length Measurement: Agreement Between Transvaginal and Translabial Techniques Obstet. Gynecol., October 1, 2000; 96(4): 554 - 558. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Ruffin, J. Pearson, and K. T. Woods The Fundamentals of Transperineal Ultrasound Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, July 1, 1992; 8(4): 188 - 192. [Abstract] [PDF]