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International Journal of Gynaecology... Oct 2021Cervical cerclage is an intervention which when given to the right women can prevent preterm birth and second-trimester fetal losses. A history-indicated cerclage should...
Cervical cerclage is an intervention which when given to the right women can prevent preterm birth and second-trimester fetal losses. A history-indicated cerclage should be offered to women who have had three or more preterm deliveries and/or mid-trimester losses. An ultrasound-indicated cerclage should be offered to women with a cervical length <25 mm if they have had one or more spontaneous preterm birth and/or mid-trimester loss. In high-risk women who have not had a previous mid-trimester loss or preterm birth, an ultrasound-indicated cerclage does not have a clear benefit in women with a short cervix. However, for twins, the advantage seems more likely at shorter cervical lengths (<15 mm). In women who present with exposed membranes prolapsing through the cervical os, a rescue cerclage can be considered on an individual case basis, taking into account the high risk of infective morbidity to mother and baby. An abdominal cerclage can be offered in women who have had a failed cerclage (delivery before 28 weeks after a history or ultrasound-indicated [but not rescue] cerclage). If preterm birth has not occurred, removal is considered at 36-37 weeks in women anticipating a vaginal delivery.
Topics: Cerclage, Cervical; Cervix Uteri; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Premature Birth
PubMed: 34520055
DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13835 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... 2009
Topics: Cervix Mucus; Cervix Uteri; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Smoking
PubMed: 19404791
DOI: 10.1080/00016340902934761 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Oct 2018Spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB), defined as delivery before 37 weeks' gestation, remains a significant obstetric dilemma even after decades of research in this field.... (Review)
Review
Spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB), defined as delivery before 37 weeks' gestation, remains a significant obstetric dilemma even after decades of research in this field. Although trends from 2007 to 2014 showed the rate of preterm birth slightly decreased, the CDC recently reported the rate of preterm birth has increased for two consecutive years since 2014. Currently, 1 in 10 pregnancies in the US still end prematurely. In this chapter, we focus on the "compartment" of the cervix. The goal is to outline the current knowledge of normal cervical structure and function in pregnancy and the current knowledge of how the cervix malfunctions lead to SPTB. We review the mechanisms by which our current interventions are hypothesized to work. Finally, we outline gaps in knowledge and future research directions that may lead to novel and effective interventions to prevent premature cervical failure and SPTB.
Topics: Animals; Cerclage, Cervical; Cervix Uteri; Female; Humans; Pessaries; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Progesterone; Progestins; Risk Factors
PubMed: 30314740
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2018.03.007 -
Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine Apr 2016The cervix functions as a barrier between the uterus and vagina and keeps the uterus closed until term so that the fetus can develop. For delivery the cervix must soften... (Review)
Review
The cervix functions as a barrier between the uterus and vagina and keeps the uterus closed until term so that the fetus can develop. For delivery the cervix must soften and dilate, and finally reconstitute to close the uterus. This complex process involves precisely timed activation of molecular and microstructural events. Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) can result from aberrant timing of these events in the cervix. Unfortunately, the pathophysiology of sPTB due to cervical causes remains unclear and thus our treatment options remain limited - even if all appropriate candidates were identified and correctly treated with currently available interventions, the rate of sPTB would only be reduced by 5%. Very recent molecular and microstructural investigation is challenging prevailing concepts about cervical remodeling in pregnancy. We believe that progress toward novel, targeted solutions for the diverse pathways to sPTB entails a paradigm shift in which the overlapping and complex interactions between the cervix, uterus, membranes, fetus, placenta, and surrounding (structural and molecular) environment are suitably honored.
Topics: Cervical Ripening; Cervix Uteri; Early Diagnosis; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Prenatal Diagnosis; Uterine Cervical Incompetence
PubMed: 26776146
DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2015.12.009 -
BMJ Case Reports Jul 2020Cellular angiofibroma is a rare type of benign mesenchymal tumour that arises mostly in middle-aged women. It needs to be distinguished from other neoplasms and has a...
Cellular angiofibroma is a rare type of benign mesenchymal tumour that arises mostly in middle-aged women. It needs to be distinguished from other neoplasms and has a predilection for the vulvovaginal region. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a cervical cellular angiofibroma. A 34-year-old nulligravid woman was referred with a large mass bulging in the fornix posterior. Ultrasound scanning and MRI showed a large solid mass projecting in the pouch of Douglas. Laparoscopic surgical excision was performed. Histopathological examination showed a well-demarcated, unencapsulated tumour, consisting of short fascicles of spindle cells in-between thick-walled medium-sized vessels. On immunohistochemistry, there was strong reactivity with antibodies against CD34 and oestrogen receptor. Angiofibromas are benign mesenchymal tumours mostly occurring in middle-aged women. They can cause abnormal swelling and uterine bleeding and need to be distinguished from other (malignant) neoplasms.
Topics: Adult; Angiofibroma; Cervix Uteri; Female; Humans; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vagina
PubMed: 32675122
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-235241 -
Journal of Medicine and Life 2016Preterm birth is the legal first global cause of neonatal death. The cervix has two roles: it has to stay closed to allow the fetus to undergo a normal development... (Review)
Review
Preterm birth is the legal first global cause of neonatal death. The cervix has two roles: it has to stay closed to allow the fetus to undergo a normal development during gestation, and at term, the cervix has to dilate under the pressure of uterine contractions to allow the delivery. The purpose of this article is to establish if the ultrasound measured length of the cervix and its appearance are predictive for the spontaneous preterm birth. Cervical insufficiency can be described by painless cervical dilatation leading to pregnancy losses/ births, with no other risk factors present. During gestation, the physiological softening of the cervix is determined by the extracellular matrix components, particular decorin, and thrombospondin 2. The direction of the collagen fibers remains the same - circumferential direction, but the collagen solubility increases. Therefore, during pregnancy, the cervical tissue is more hydrated and has higher collagen extractability than non-pregnant tissue. Women with cervical incompetence have increased levels of smooth muscle cells than normal pregnant women, the number of elastic fibers is low, and also the concentration of hydroxyproline is decreased. Transvaginal ultrasound is the suitable gold standard exam that can offer essential information about the cervical length and state of the internal os in early asymptomatic stage of cervical insufficiency for predicting and preventing preterm birth. In our experience, a transvaginal ultrasound screening for the measurement of the cervix is required. We consider that the proper gestational age for the prediction of a preterm birth is at 18-22 weeks of gestation for the general population and earlier for patients with a history of preterm birth. Just from an observational point of view, we concluded with the fact that the cerclage of the cervix is unnecessary if the cervical length is above 2 cm and if the internal cervical os is closed. In the absence of funneling, the probability of cervical incompetence is low and the best prophylactic option is progesterone administration.
Topics: Cerclage, Cervical; Cervical Length Measurement; Cervix Uteri; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 27928435
DOI: No ID Found -
Seminars in Perinatology Dec 2017The process of parturition is poorly understood, but the cervix clearly plays a key role. Because of this, recent research efforts have been directed at objective... (Review)
Review
The process of parturition is poorly understood, but the cervix clearly plays a key role. Because of this, recent research efforts have been directed at objective quantification of cervical remodeling. Investigation has focused on two basic areas: (1) quantification of tissue deformability and (2) presence, orientation, and/or concentration of microstructural components (e.g. collagen). Methods to quantify tissue deformability include strain elastography and shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI). Methods to describe tissue microstructure include attenuation and backscatter. A single parameter is unlikely to describe the complexities of cervical remodeling, but combining related parameters should improve accuracy of cervical evaluation. This chapter reviews options for cervical tissue characterization.
Topics: Biomechanical Phenomena; Cervix Uteri; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Parturition; Pregnancy; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 29191290
DOI: 10.1053/j.semperi.2017.08.006 -
Fertility and Sterility Apr 2020Many papers and reviews have described the changes of the cervix during pregnancy, cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections, and cervicovaginal microbiota. In...
Many papers and reviews have described the changes of the cervix during pregnancy, cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections, and cervicovaginal microbiota. In this Views and Reviews, we focus on some specific topics in relation to the uterine cervix and infertility: early cervical cancer and fertility sparing surgery, cesarean scar defect, cervical incompetence, and cervical müllerian anomalies.
Topics: Cervix Uteri; Female; Humans; Infertility, Female; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 32228872
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.02.107 -
Journal of Biomechanics Jun 2015Appropriate mechanical function of the uterine cervix is critical for maintaining a pregnancy to term so that the fetus can develop fully. At the end of pregnancy,... (Review)
Review
Appropriate mechanical function of the uterine cervix is critical for maintaining a pregnancy to term so that the fetus can develop fully. At the end of pregnancy, however, the cervix must allow delivery, which requires it to markedly soften, shorten and dilate. There are multiple pathways to spontaneous preterm birth, the leading global cause of death in children less than 5 years old, but all culminate in premature cervical change, because that is the last step in the final common pathway to delivery. The mechanisms underlying premature cervical change in pregnancy are poorly understood, and therefore current clinical protocols to assess preterm birth risk are limited to surrogate markers of mechanical function, such as sonographically measured cervical length. This is what motivates us to study the cervix, for which we propose investigating clinical cervical function in parallel with a quantitative engineering evaluation of its structural function. We aspire to develop a common translational language, as well as generate a rigorous integrated clinical-engineering framework for assessing cervical mechanical function at the cellular to organ level. In this review, we embark on that challenge by describing the current landscape of clinical, biochemical, and engineering concepts associated with the mechanical function of the cervix during pregnancy. Our goal is to use this common platform to inspire novel approaches to delineate normal and abnormal cervical function in pregnancy.
Topics: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cervix Uteri; Collagen; Female; Humans; Models, Biological; Pregnancy; Premature Birth
PubMed: 25841293
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.02.065 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... May 2024In recent years, there has been a significant rise in cases of placenta accreta spectrum, a group of life-threatening placental disorders that can arise during... (Review)
Review
In recent years, there has been a significant rise in cases of placenta accreta spectrum, a group of life-threatening placental disorders that can arise during childbirth. Early detection plays a crucial role in facilitating meticulous delivery planning, ultimately leading to a reduction in mortality and morbidity rates and improved overall outcomes. Although third-trimester ultrasound has traditionally been the primary method for prenatal screening for placenta accreta spectrum, it often falls short in identifying cases or diagnosis is too late for optimal delivery planning. Emerging evidence has highlighted the option of early detection of placenta accreta spectrum indicators during the first trimester of pregnancy. This comprehensive review delves into our current knowledge of sonographic assessment of the uterine cervicoisthmic complex in the first trimester, examining the location and appearance of cesarean scars and exploring first-trimester screening strategies, ultimately paving the way for improved maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Placenta Accreta; Pregnancy; Female; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Cesarean Section; Cicatrix; Early Diagnosis; Cervix Uteri
PubMed: 38447672
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101329