Abstrakti
Cervical incompetence is a frequent cause of inevitable miscarriage in the second trimester, and it is often
associated with a poor foetal outcome. Dilatation of the cervix was observed in a 31-year-old pregnant
woman with previous preterm delivery. She presented with severe pelvic pains, preterm contractions and
amniotic fluid discharge. Emergency abdominal sonography revealed polyhydramnios and umbilical cord
prolapse. The cervical diameter measured 45 mm and the length measured 19 mm. The internal os was
opened and showed conspicuous funnelling and protruding foetal leg through the internal os. The foetus
was delivered by means of caesarean section and died about 24 hours later. This finding underscores the
importance of ultrasonography to obstetricians and neonatologists and also highlights the need for routine
obstetrics scan in patients at risk, especially in low income populations where such a procedure might be
deemed as an unnecessary financial burden.
Keywords: Cervical incompetence, dilatation, sonography, foetus, polyhydramnios
Résumé
L’incompétence cervicale est une cause fréquente de fausse couche inévitable au deuxième trimestre, et
elle est souvent associée à un mauvais résultat fœtal. Une dilatation du col de l’utérus a été observée chez
une femme enceinte de 31 ans avec accouchement prématuré. Elle présentait des douleurs pelviennes
sévères, des contractions prématurées et une décharge de liquide amniotique. L’échographie abdominale
d’urgence a révélé un poly-hydramnios et un prolapsus du cordon ombilical. Le diamètre cervical
mesurait 45 mm et la longueur mesurait 19 mm. L’orifice interne était ouvert et présentait un entonnoir
visible et une jambe fœtale saillante à travers l’orifice interne. Le fœtusa été accouché par césarienne et est
décédé environ 24 heures plus tard. Ces résultats soulignent l’importance de l’échographie pour les obstétriciens et les
néonatologistes et soulignent également la nécessité d’un examen obstétrical systématique chez les patients à risque, en
particulier dans les populations à faible revenu où une telle procédure pourrait être considérée comme un fardeau financier
inutile.
Mots-clés: Incompétence cervicale, dilatation, échographie, fœtus, poly-hydramnios
Correspondence: Dr. Victor Ukwenya, Department of Anatomy, School of Health and Health Technology,Federal
University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. E-mail: voukwenya@futa.edu.ng; victorwyn@yahoo/com
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