Cervical elastography strain ratio and strain pattern for the prediction of a successful induction of labour

Objectives: The aim of this study was to introduce cervical strain elastography to objectively assess the cervical tissue transformation process during induction of labour (IOL) and to evaluate the potential of cervical elastography as a predictor of successful IOL. Methods: A total of 41 patients with full-term pregnancies elected for an IOL were included. Vaginal ultrasound with measurement of cervical length and elastography and assessment of the Bishop Score were performed before and 3 h after IOL. The measured parameters were correlated to the outcome of IOL and the time until delivery. Results: We observed an association between the strain pattern and the value of the strain ratio 3 h after IOL and a successful IOL (p= 0.0343 and p= 0.0342, respectively) which can be well demonstrated by the results after 48 h. In our study population the cervical length and the Bishop Score did not prove to be relevant parameters for the prediction of a successful IOL. Conclusions: We demonstrated for the first time that the cervical elastography pattern after the first prostaglandine application can help predict the outcome of IOL.