ClinicalTrials.gg
Not yet recruitingNCT05996926Updated Aug 18, 2023

Diagnostic Accuracy of Saline Sonohystrography vs. 3D Transvaginal Ultrasound for Cesarean Scar Defect Assessment

An interventional study of Three-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound (3D TVS) and Saline-Infused Sonography (Sonohystrography) in Cesarean Scar Defects, Cesarean Section Complications and Uterine Scar Dehiscence, sponsored by Cairo University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Egypt. Open to female participants aged 20 Years to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-08-18.

Sponsored by Cairo University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Diagnostic

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Aug 2024, 2 years 2 months ago, but the record still lists the study as not yet recruiting.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
72
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
20 Years to 45 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

To compare accuracy of three dimensional transvaginal ultrasound versus the "gold standard" saline infused sonography for assessing the characteristics, frequency and appearance of caesarean scar defects in symptomatic patients with a history of cesarean section.

Read the detailed description

Cesarean section (CS) is a frequently performed surgical procedure in obstetric practice. With a significant number of women undergoing this procedure annually, studying its impact on future reproductive capacity has become increasingly important.

The prevalence of cesarean deliveries is rising and constitutes about one-third of all births in both the USA and Italy. As the use of cesarean delivery increases, so do the associated complications, including cesarean scar pregnancy, morbidly adherent placenta, and Cesarean section scar dehiscence and rupture.

Cesarean scar defects (CSD) are described using various terms (pouch, niche, or isthmocoele) and are characterized by thinning of the myometrium or a uterine scar dehiscence, often appearing as a triangular shape within the endometrial cavity.

The exact prevalence of symptomatic Cesarean scar defects varies due to factors like population differences and lack of standardized criteria. Clinical presentations of Cesarean scar defects range from no symptoms to abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, dyspareunia, and pelvic pain.

Women with a history of Cesarean section are considered high-risk during pregnancy and require specialized assessments to ensure scar integrity. Saline-infused sonography (Sonohystrography) is effective for demonstrating caesarean niches, although transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is more accessible and commonly used.

Experts generally agree that a niche should be defined by an indentation at the CS scar site with a depth of at least 2 mm, and it can be classified as simple, simple with one branch, or complex with multiple branches. Additional measurements, such as the distances between the niche and the vesicovaginal fold, are useful for surgical planning.

Given the increasing frequency of cesarean deliveries, healthcare providers will encounter related complications more frequently. Cesarean scar defects are common yet often go undiagnosed. Encouraging vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) can help reduce cesarean rates and raise questions about future obstetric practices, especially in developing countries.

02

Conditions studied

  • Cesarean Scar Defects
  • Cesarean Section Complications
  • Uterine Scar Dehiscence
  • Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
  • Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

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03

In context

Metrorrhagia

153 studies on the registry are indexed under Metrorrhagia; 35 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 72 is below the median of 100 across 115 interventional studies indexed under Metrorrhagia.

Browse Metrorrhagia studies →

Lead sponsor

Cairo University is the lead sponsor of 4,941 studies on the registry; 1,458 are open to participants now.

Of its 37 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 5 (14%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 20 and 45 years
  • Previous 1-3 cesarean sections
  • The duration from the last cesarean section ranging from 6 months to 5 years.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnancy (Positive pregnancy test)
  • Recent pelvic infection.
  • Active pelvic infection.
  • Recent surgery on the tubes or the uterus.
  • Active vaginal bleeding.
  • Menstruation.
  • Suspected .
  • Intrauterine device in situ.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Cancer (malignancy)

Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.

Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Diagnostic
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Investigator)
Enrollment
72 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Three-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound (3D TVS)

    In this study, Three-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound will be employed as one of the interventions to evaluate Cesarean Scar Defects (CSD) and associated complications in symptomatic patients with a history of cesarean section. A specialized ultrasound machine (Samsung WS80A) equipped with a transvaginal 2-11 MHz probe will be used for the Three-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound examination. The examination will be conducted in the 1st half of the menstrual cycle. The ultrasound probe will be introduced into the posterior fornix of the vagina to capture three-dimensional images of the uterus and scar area. The examiner will identify and measure the characteristics of the Cesarean Scar Defects (CSD), including length, depth, width, volume, residual myometrial thickness, adjacent myometrial thickness, and presence of any branches.

    Diagnostic Test: Three-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound (3D TVS)

  • Experimental
    Saline-Infused Sonography (Sonohystrography)

    The Sonohystrography will be performed using a Toshiba ECCO CEE SSA-340A ultrasound equipment with a 7.5 MHz transvaginal probe. A sterile vaginal speculum will be inserted, the cervix cleansed with an antiseptic solution, and a thin Foley's catheter inserted into the cervical os. Sterile saline solution will be infused into the uterus through the catheter to distend the uterine cavity. The examiner will use the ultrasound probe to visualize and assess the uterine cavity, focusing on identifying and measuring Cesarean Scar Defects (CSD) characteristics, including depth, width, volume, and myometrial thickness.

    Diagnostic Test: Saline-Infused Sonography (Sonohystrography)

Interventions

  • Diagnostic testThree-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound (3D TVS)

    In this study, Three-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound will be employed as one of the interventions to evaluate Cesarean Scar Defects (CSD) and associated complications in symptomatic patients with a history of cesarean section. Procedure: A specialized ultrasound machine (Samsung WS80A) equipped with a transvaginal 2-11 MHz probe will be used for the Three-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound examination. The examination will be conducted in the 1st half of the menstrual cycle. The ultrasound probe will be introduced into the posterior fornix of the vagina to capture three-dimensional images of the uterus and scar area. The examiner will identify and measure the characteristics of the Cesarean Scar Defects (CSD), including length, depth, width, volume, residual myometrial thickness, adjacent myometrial thickness, and presence of any branches.

  • Diagnostic testSaline-Infused Sonography (Sonohystrography)

    The Sonohystrography will be performed using a Toshiba ECCO CEE SSA-340A ultrasound equipment with a 7.5 MHz transvaginal probe. A sterile vaginal speculum will be inserted, the cervix cleansed with an antiseptic solution, and a thin Foley's catheter inserted into the cervical os. Sterile saline solution will be infused into the uterus through the catheter to distend the uterine cavity. The examiner will use the ultrasound probe to visualize and assess the uterine cavity, focusing on identifying and measuring Cesarean Scar Defects (CSD) characteristics, including depth, width, volume, and myometrial thickness.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Diagnostic Accuracy of Cesarean Scar Defect Assessment Using 3D TVS

    This outcome measure aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (3D TVS) as measurement tools in assessing Cesarean Scar Defects (CSD) and associated complications among symptomatic patients with a history of cesarean section. The assessment will involve identifying, classifying, and measuring Cesarean Scar Defects (CSD) characteristics using these specific measurement techniques.

    Time frame: Intraoperatively

  2. Diagnostic Accuracy of Cesarean Scar Defect Assessment Using Saline-Infused Sonography

    This outcome measure aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of saline-infused sonography (Sonohystrography) as measurement tools in assessing Cesarean Scar Defects (CSD) and associated complications among symptomatic patients with a history of cesarean section. The assessment will involve identifying, classifying, and measuring Cesarean Scar Defects (CSD) characteristics using these specific measurement techniques.

    Time frame: Intraoperatively

07

Study locations

1 site
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — The study protocol will be available upon a reasonable request.

Supporting information: Study protocol

Time frame: One you after the end of the study

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Start is estimated for Aug 2023; primary completion for Aug 2024, 12 months later.

Of 41 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Metrorrhagia, half reached primary completion within 17 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 6 and three quarters within 30. This study's planned 12 months is below that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 43 studies reached it within 17 months; a quarter within 6 and three quarters within 30.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Aug 3, 2023
First posted
Aug 18, 2023
StartEst.
Aug 30, 2023
Primary completionEst.
Aug 30, 2024
CompletionEst.
Aug 30, 2024
Last update
Aug 18, 2023
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 18, 2023, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05996926
Lead sponsor
Cairo University
Responsible party
Israa Bahaa Hassan Sherif (Resident of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nile specialized Hospital, Egypt, Cairo University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Aug 18, 2023
Start date
Aug 30, 2023 (estimated)
Primary completion
Aug 30, 2024 (estimated)
Completion
Aug 30, 2024 (estimated)
Last update
Aug 18, 2023

Study contacts

Israa Sherif, MBBCH
Contact
israa.bahaa@gmail.com
01020277037 ext. +2

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Aug 2023. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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