Sonographic Parameters in the Diagnosis of Chronic Cervicitis

Abstract

Introduction. Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs (IDPO) remain the most relevant issue in contemporary gynecology. In modern diagnostics of reproductive organ pathologies, a highly effective and accessible method is ultrasound examination. Recent studies in this field, conducted using high-frequency digital transvaginal echography, have significantly contributed to reevaluating the potential of ultrasonographic diagnosis of the cervix; however, further research is warranted.
 The aim of this research is to enhance the diagnosis of cervical changes in cervicitis.
 Materials and methods. The study included 68 women with chronic cervicitis. The diagnosis was established based on clinical, colposcopy, and bacterioscopist examinations. During transvaginal ultrasound examinations, the cervix was visualized in both longitudinal and transverse projections for all patients. The patients with chronic cervicitis were divided into two groups: Group I consisted of 37 patients with visual changes in the cervix, while Group II comprised 31 women without any changes. A comparison group included 35 healthy women.
 Results. Chronic cervicitis is characterized by an increase in the thickness and volume of the cervix, as well as the heterogeneity of the stroma due to cystic cavities, with elevated ratios of cervix thickness to length and endocervix thickness to cervix thickness. Significant sonographic signs of the inflammatory process in the endocervix also include certain structural features, such as indistinct contours, increased echogenicity, small cysts, and multiple microcalcifications in the endocervix, uneven dilation of the cervical canal, and an area of reduced echogenicity.
 Conclusions. Therefore, a thorough ultrasound examination to determine the condition of the cervix, thickness, and structure of the endocervix can be a valuable adjunct non-invasive tool in the diagnosis of chronic cervicitis and can assist clinicians in diagnosing this pathology even in cases where there are no visual changes in the cervix during an examination.