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Penetration of the bladder by a perforating intrauterine contraceptive device: a sonographic diagnosis
Author(s) -
Caspi B.,
Rabinerson D.,
Appelman Z.,
Kaplan B.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1996.07060458.x
Subject(s) - medicine , intrauterine device , cystoscopy , uterine perforation , abdominal pain , abdomen , urinalysis , pelvic pain , surgery , ultrasound , obstetrics and gynaecology , pelvic examination , perforation , urinary bladder , pelvis , urinary system , obstetrics , radiology , family planning , population , pregnancy , research methodology , genetics , materials science , environmental health , biology , metallurgy , punching
Abstract We describe a case of penetration of the urinary bladder by an intrauterine contraceptive device with perforation of the uterine wall. This finding was discovered incidentally during an ultrasound examination for an earlier non‐specific mild abdominal pain of short duration. No abnormality had been noted on pelvic examination, during which the device's strings were found to protrude through the patient's cervix; a short laboratory workup including urinalysis, urine culture, blood count and blood sedimentation rate was also negative. The sonographic diagnosis was confirmed by cystoscopy. The device was retrieved transcervically. No complications were observed on follow‐up. Bladder perforation by an intrauterine contraceptive device is very rare, and only a handful of such cases have been described. In all previous cases, the diagnosis followed a rather prominent clinical presentation, whereas, in this case, the patient complained of intermittent low abdominal pain of short duration. We therefore suggest that pelvic ultrasound examination be performed in every patient with unexplained low abdominal pain who is known to carry an intrauterine contraceptive device. Copyright © 1996 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology