Introduction and hypothesis: The objective of this study is to define the diagnosis of hypertrophic cervical elongation clinically and to perform histochemical and histological evaluations of patients with and without hypertrophic cervical elongation.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted at Louisiana State University between December 2005 and May 2008. Fourteen women with cervical elongation and 28 women without prolapse were studied.
Results: The amounts of elastin, collagen, and smooth muscle did not differ between study and control groups. Estrogen and progesterone receptor content in cervical elongation were elevated compared to the cervix of women without prolapse. Hypertrophic cervical elongation was defined as the difference between point C and point D of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system greater than 8 cm.
Conclusions: Estrogen and progesterone receptor levels are greater in women with hypertrophic cervical elongation compared with a normal cervix.