Controlled fine needle biopsy of the uterine cervix during pregnancy

• Published in: Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) Vol. 18; no. 8; p. 737
• Main Authors: Keeler, Sean M, Rust, Orion A, Kiefer, Daniel G, Prutsman, Wendy J, Proudfit, Christine L, Naftolin, Frederick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-08-2011
• Subjects: Biopsy, Fine-Needle - adverse effects; Biopsy, Fine-Needle - methods; Cervical Ripening - physiology; Cervix Uteri - cytology; Cervix Uteri - physiology; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 1933-7205
• DOI: 10.1177/1933719110396721

Cervical sampling could furnish tissue-based information regarding premature cervical ripening and effacement. This report assesses the effect of cervical fine needle biopsy (FNB) in the evaluation of cervical shortening.
Retrospective cohort study evaluating adverse events during the first week following FNB in women with short cervix. Patients with a cervical length(CL) ≤25 mm had a cervical FNB between 16 and 24 weeks. The risk of FNB was compared to a control group that was similarly evaluated but did not undergo FNB.
One hundred and thirty-two FNBs were performed in 94 participants. The mean gestational age and CL at enrollment were 20.4 ± 2.3 weeks and 15.7 ± 0.6 mm. Within 7 days of FNB, there were 3 adverse events (2.3%) in the study group compared to 5 in the control group (2.1%).
FNB of the cervix in high risk gravidae is feasible in clinical situations. It did not increase the risk of adverse events compared to women studied under a similar protocol without FNB.