Carmody Kristin, Schwartz Brad, Chang Alan
Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
J Emerg Med. 2011 Aug;41(2):161-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2010.04.024. Epub 2010 May 26.
The extrauterine migration of an intrauterine device (IUD) can be life threatening and require emergent surgical intervention and treatment. Migration is usually the result of IUD expulsion or uterine perforation.
This case report describes a presentation of extrauterine migration of an IUD due to probable perforation.
This is a case report of an uncommon but potentially dangerous outcome of IUD placement and use. The potential migration of an IUD and resultant uterine perforation must be considered in the differential diagnosis of any woman using this type of contraception who presents with abdominal pain. This report is unique due to the subtle presentation of a potentially life-threatening diagnosis.
This article presents the case, discusses the incidence, potential causes, predisposing factors, diagnostic modalities, and the course of treatment for this particular diagnosis.
