The long lost IUD.
While evaluating a 65 year old white female as an outpatient for upper gastrointestinal bleeding, an intrauterine device (IUD) was found in her right lower quadrant on a scout film of the abdomen. She was status post total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). A review of the literature was very sparse on how to manage this issue. Of the 24 articles noted on an EBSCO literature search, only 5 were remotely relevant to this patient, and 4 had no English translation. None of the articles dealt with what to do with an IUD found more than 35 years after insertion. Up to Date did not have any reference to a "lost IUD", only information on the IUD and contraception.
Fortunato
Michael A
MA
Family Medicine Residency Program, Wheeling Hospital, USA.
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography