Incrustation of contraceptive devices: ultrasound as a diagnostic tool

Ultrasonography of intrauterine devices

The intrauterine device (IUD) is gaining popularity as a reversible form of contraception. Ultrasonography serves as first-line imaging for the evaluation of IUD position in patients with pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or absent retrieval strings. This review highlights the imaging of both properly positioned and malpositioned IUDs. The problems associated with malpositioned IUDs include expulsion, displacement, embedment, and perforation. Management considerations depend on the severity of the malposition and the presence or absence of symptoms. Three-dimensional ultrasonography has proven to be more sensitive in the evaluation of more subtle findings of malposition, particularly side-arm embedment. Familiarity with the ultrasonographic features of properly positioned and malpositioned IUDs is essential.

[Fertility after endometrial osseous metaplasia elective hysteroscopic resection]

OBJECTIVES

The endometrial osseous metaplasia is a rare disease which is characterized by the presence of osseous tissue in endometrium. It is often diagnosed in women with secondary infertility. The main objective of this work is to evaluate fertility after elective resection of osteoid metaplasia endometrial lesions by operative hysteroscopy in infertile women.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Retrospective and descriptive series of 7 cases observed in the Woman and Child department, CHU Jean-Verdier. The 7 women were in reproductive age, of African origin, with secondary infertility after abortions concerning 6 out of the 7 patients.

RESULTS

In all cases, endovaginal pelvic ultrasound has raised endometrial calcification, and diagnostic hysteroscopy highlighted endometrial osteoid metaplasia. The operative hysteroscopic procedure consisted of elective diathermic resection to handle endometrial insertion of bone chips. A second diagnostic hysteroscopy was systematically done. It showed no recurrence. Six of the 7 patients began pregnancy, 3 spontaneously and 3 after IVF/ICSI in the first year following the hysteroscopic treatment. The evolution of pregnancies has been marked by 2 normal deliveries, 1 spontaneous miscarriage and then an ectopic pregnancy in one patient, 1 growth retardation intrauterine requiring caesarean at 38 SA, 1 HELLP syndrome in a twin pregnancy requiring ceasarean at 27 SA followed normal labor at term and 1 pregnancy lost sight.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Hysteroscopic elective resection seems to be the treatment of choice with a good prognosis on subsequent fertility.