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Case Reports
. 2010 Feb;115(2 Pt 2):458-459.
doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181bb2554.

Abdominal wall abscess presenting 35 years after insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device

Kathryn I Chell  1 , Gary H Lipscomb
Affiliations
Case Reports

Abdominal wall abscess presenting 35 years after insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device

Kathryn I Chell et al. Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are an effective means of contraception for many women worldwide. However, complications of insertion, such as uterine perforation, can lead to significant intraabdominal problems. We present a case of an abdominal wall abscess caused by an IUD 35 years after insertion.

Case: A 52-year-old woman who had had an IUD placed approximately 35 years previously presented to our institution with fever and a left-lower-quadrant mass. A computed tomography scan demonstrated a foreign body consistent with an extrauterine IUD located within a multiloculated anterior abdominal wall fluid collection. An exploratory laparotomy confirmed that the abscess cavity involved the rectus musculature and contained the migrated IUD.

Conclusion: This case demonstrates an unusual location for a migrated IUD. It also argues for removal of a migrated or "lost" IUD to prevent future complications.

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References

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