Retained fetal bones in the uterine cavity.
A 33-year-old woman was referred for infertility of 5 years' duration. Her history included pregnancy terminations at 6 weeks' gestation in 1992 and at 16 weeks' gestation in 1993. Both abortions were performed by curettage in West Africa. Her menses were every 28 days with normal flow. Due to a suggestion of a filling defect in the uterus on hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopic examination was performed. At hysteroscopy, several fragments of fetal bones were present in the uterus. These appeared as white structures, some with trabeculated pattern. They were removed until the entire uterine cavity was devoid of bony fragments. Histopathology examination confirmed the diagnosis. It is very likely that the findings were related to the woman's abortion in 1993. Similar to intrauterine contraceptive devices, fetal bones in the uterine cavity prevent conception.
Tulandi
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T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Sammour
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology*