Transabdominal Doppler ultrasound evaluation of blood flow patterns of the uterine arteries in cervical cancer patients in Zaria, North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains an important health issue especially in the developing countries that account for about 85% of the world burden of cervical cancer. Finding a role for Doppler ultrasound in the evaluation of these patients, may reduce the cost and improve access to management. This study was aimed at evaluating the Doppler flow parameters in patients with cervical cancer when compared to normal subjects. This was a prospective case control, descriptive and observational study conducted in radiology department, ABU Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. Eighty-one patients with cervical cancer and 81 age-matched controls had transabdominal Doppler ultrasound examination of the main uterine arteries. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 Chicago Illinois USA. Difference between two groups was tested using student ttest and P<0.05 considered as statistically significant. The mean Resistivity Index (RI) and Pulsatility Index (PI) were significantly lower in patients with cervical cancer than the control (P<0.0001). The mean end diastolic velocity was significantly higher in patients than the control (P<0.0001). There was however no significant difference in the mean peak systolic velocity in patients and control (P=0.97). The findings have demonstrated that significant differences exist in the uterine artery Doppler flow parameters in patients with cervical cancer compared to the healthy controls. This emphasizes the role of Doppler scan in the evaluation and management of patients with cervical cancer.