Detection rate of the cervical gland area during pregnancy by transvaginal sonography in the assessment of cervical maturation

Objectives: To detect the cervical gland area during normal pregnancy, and to determine its detection rate and relationship with cervical maturation. Design: This was a mixed longitudinal and cross-sectional sonographic study involving a total of 514 transvaginal scans performed for detection of cervical gland area and measurement of cervical length in 260 normal singleton pregnancies at 16-41 weeks of gestation. The conventional cervical maturation index was measured simultaneously by digital examination. Results: The detection rate of cervical gland area remained practically constant until the 31st week of pregnancy, but significantly decreased thereafter. Highly significant correlations were noted between the detection rate of cervical gland area and cervical length, cervical gland area and cervical maturation index, and cervical length and cervical maturation index. Conclusions: This study showed for the first time that cervical gland area can be detected sonographically and that its absence might be a predictor of preterm labor.