Migration of an intrauterine contraceptive device to the ovary

Abstract

We present the case of a 37-year-old woman with a history of 2 consecutive insertions of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) 3 years before she was referred to us for sonographic evaluation of lower abdominal pain. The first of the IUDs was presumed to have been expelled spontaneously, and 3 months after insertion of the second device, the patient had begun experiencing lower abdominal pain. Medical treatment with antibiotics and spasmolytics had been unsuccessful. We performed transvaginal sonography, which revealed the presence of an IUD in the uterus and a 2-cm linear metallic echogenic area in the left ovary, believed to represent another IUD. Anteroposterior radiography confirmed that there were 2 IUDs in the pelvis, and CT demonstrated 1 IUD in the uterus and another in the left ovary. The patient underwent laparoscopic removal of the ovarian IUD and was discharged in good condition. To our knowledge, this is the first report of migration of an IUD to the ovary detected on transvaginal sonography. We recommend consideration of this possibility during evaluation of women with unexplained chronic pelvic pain.