Biological and spatial variability of backscatter coefficient parameters in the ex vivo human uterine cervix

Parameters derived from the acoustic backscatter coefficient (BSC) represent quantification on an absolute scale and have been used to characterize tissue microstructure. This motivates their use to detect and quantify microstructural remodeling and ripening of the uterine cervix during pregnancy. This work systematically assessed the ex vivo human cervix microstructure and the effects of cervical ripening based on parameters derived from the BSCs. In ripened cervices, some BSC parameter values were reduced and spatial variability became more homogeneous, suggesting BSC parameters have potential as biomarkers of abnormal changes leading to preterm birth.