title: Can transvaginal ultrasonographic evaluation of the endocervical glandular area predict preterm labor among patients who received tocolytic therapy for threatened labor: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Increased neonatal morbidity and mortality rates resulting from preterm delivery (PTD) remain as a problem despite increasing evidence about the physiology of uterine contractility process. More predictive signs of preterm labor detected on prenatal ultrasonography like the presence of cervical gland area (CGA) on transvaginal ultrasonography can be a reassuring finding among patients with threatened labor risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, 85 pregnant patients at 24-34 weeks of gestation who attended to our high risk pregnancy clinic for threatened labor between March 2011 and March 2012 have been examined by transvaginal ultrasonography to evaluate CGA located around the endocervical canal. Following discharge, the gestational week at birth, birth weight and birth route of patients have been recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among patients with a cervical length (CL) <30 mm and ≥30 mm measured by transvaginal ultrasonography on admission, 82.4% of the patients with a short cervix exhibiting echolucent endocervical glandular area and 42.3% of the patients with short cervix exhibiting echogen endocervical glandular area on sonography delivered at term (p = 0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of CGA detected on transvaginal ultrasonography especially when combined with the evaluation of CL during the management of patients with threatened labor can be a reassuring sign for actual probability of PTD.
authors: Department of High Risk Pregnancy, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. mdserkankahyaoglu@gmail.com
authors: Serkan
authors: S
authors: Kahyaoglu
authors: Inci
authors: I
authors: Kahyaoglu
authors: Oktay
authors: O
authors: Kaymak
authors: Saliha
authors: S
authors: Sagnic
authors: Leyla
authors: L
authors: Mollamahmutoglu
authors: Nuri
authors: N
authors: Danisman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011379:Prognosis; D015145:Tocolysis; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D014621:Vagina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult