Cervical cerclage is a surgical procedure in which a strong suture is placed around the cervix to reinforce it and help prevent premature opening during pregnancy. It is typically performed in women with a history of cervical insufficiency, where the cervix begins to dilate too early, leading to second-trimester pregnancy loss or very premature delivery. Ultrasound plays an important role both in determining whether a cerclage is needed, by measuring cervical length, and in monitoring the cervix after the procedure. On ultrasound, the cerclage suture may be visible as a bright, echogenic focus within the cervical tissue, and regular cervical length measurements ensure the cerclage is effectively keeping the cervix closed.
Sonography Term