The assessment of spectral Doppler parameters in uterine arteries of patients with locally advanced squamous cell cervical cancer

Objectives: Evaluate spectral Doppler parameters peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index(RI) and pulsatility index (PI) in infiltrated and non-infiltrated uterine arteries of patients with locally advanced (stages II B,III B) squamous cell cervical cancer and their changes during treatment.

Material and methods: the study group included 36 patients aged 35-78 years old. At diagnosis, PSV, EDV, RI and PI inuterine arteries were examined and compared with MRI findings. All patients underwent transvaginal doppler ultrasonographyprior to the treatment, after external beam radiation therapy and six weeks after the last application of brachytherapy.

Results: The median PSV value in the first examination was higher in infiltrated uterine arteries than compared to non-infiltratedones (p = 0.001). The PSV values for all vessels decreased between the first and the third observation (p < 0.001).There was a significant difference in PI values between infiltrated and non-infiltrated uterine arteries between the first andthe third examination (p = 0.027).

Conclusions: In patients with locally advanced cervical cancer of uterine arteries, assessment of PSV but not EDV, RI or PIcan be helpful in differentiating infiltrated from non-infiltrated vessels. In this group of patients, radiotherapy decreasesPSV, but not EDV, RI or PI values in uterine arteries. An observation conducted from the onset of radiotherapy to end ofthe follow-up in uterine arteries reveals that PI, but not RI, PSV or EDV, is different in infiltrated and non-infiltrated vessels.