Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
Objective diagnosis of arrested labor on transperineal ultrasound
Kazuaki Nishimura1, Kazuaki Yoshimura1, Tatsuhiko Kubo2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wakamatsu Hospital, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Aim:
Recent developments in transperineal ultrasound imaging of the pelvis have prompted trials to objectively evaluate labor progression for labor management. We evaluated the accuracy of transperineal ultrasound in diagnosing arrest of labor.
Methods:
Transperineal ultrasound and digital pelvic examinations were performed simultaneously in 63 term laboring patients (singleton fetuses in cephalic presentation). We analyzed a total of 216 ultrasound images (Sonography Volume Computer Aided Display Labor [Sono VCAD Labor®] installed in Voluson E8 ultrasound). We examined the correlation between the three ultrasound parameters head direction (HD), progression distance (PD), and progression angle (PA), and digital pelvic examination findings during labor in a transvaginal delivery group and an arrested labor group.
Results:
The coefficient of correlations between HD/PD/PA and cervical dilation/fetal station were 0.667/0.657/0.706 and 0.667/0.751/0.803, respectively. The three parameters had strong correlations with digital pelvic examination (P < 0.05). In the 11 cases (17%) of cesarean section due to arrested labor, the position of the fetal head was visually unchanged on sequential ultrasound images. According to receiver operating characteristic curves, the significant cut-offs for HD, PD, and PA for arrested labor were 105° (P = 0.048), 35 mm (P = 0.048), and 120° (P = 0.001), respectively.
Conclusions:
Transperineal ultrasound imaging is helpful for objective evaluation of labor progression and the diagnosis of arrested labor.
