Case Report

We report a 35y ear old lady presenting to her gynecologist with amenorrhea for 3 months, lower abdominal pain and increased frequency of micturition. A week back she developed terminal haematuria, high grade fever and burning at micturition. History revealed an attack of frequency and burning at micturition 6 months back for which she consulted a general practitioner and after taking some medication she was relieved. The lady had intrauterine contraceptive device (copper-T) placement 10 years back after completing her family. The lady never came for follow up after placement of copper-T until she developed the present complaints. Pregnancy test was positive and ultrasound revealed 8 week gestation pregnancy along with a large (5 cm X 5 cm X 5cm) calculus in urinary bladder. There was no evidence of any IUCD on ultrasound. Since the lady was not willing to continue the pregnancy she was planned for dilatation and curettage (D&C). After D&C the patient was referred to us for further management. A plain X-ray abdomen was performed which showed a round radio-opaque shadow in pelvis (Fig. 1).

Figure 1

Figure 1: Plain X-ray of abdomen showing stone in urinary bladder.

Microscopic examination of urine showed 20-25 leukocytes and 15-20 red blood cells per high power field. Urine was sent for culture and sensitivity and the patient was planned for surgery. Open suprapubic cystolithotomy was performed under general anesthesia. The stone was adhered to the posterior bladder wall but with little efforts it could be separated. The stone was spherical in shape with vertical limb of the copper-T was protruding out from the stone (Fig. 2).

Figure 2

Figure 2: Photograph bladder stone formed over copper-T IUCD. (Vertical limb of IUCD can be seen protruding out of stone)

The intact copper-T was extracted after breaking the stone. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged after one week. The patient came for weekly follow up for 2 months and is currently asymptomatic.

Discussion

Intrauterine contraceptive devices can be affected by many early and late complications, including uterine perforation and migration into adjacent structures. Although perforation of the uterus by an intrauterine device is not uncommon, intravesical migration with secondary stone formation is a rare complication₁. To the best of author's knowledge only 25 such cases were reported till 2001₂. A variety of IUCD have been reported to cause uterine perforation. In a study conducted at Stanford University Hospital Lippes Loop caused most perforations before 1977; however after 1978 most cases involved the Dalkon shield₃. Factors contributing to the possibility of uterine perforation are inept insertion or positioning, fragility of the uterine wall due to recent birth, abortion, or pregnancy₄. In general these uterine perforation and migration of IUCD usually passes unnoticed; the diagnosis is made when the absence of string is noted at routine examination and can be proved by radiological examination₅. In our patient the diagnosis was made when she became pregnant and developed irritative lower urinary tract symptoms. Radiological or ultrasound controls should be performed in the follow up of patients with intrauterine contraceptive devices₆. Any women in whom IUCD is placed and who presents with lower urinary tract symptoms, the possibility of intravesical migration of the device should always be considered in the differential diagnosis. The importance of post-insertion follow up and the need for awareness of the migration of IUCD including intravesical migration cannot be overemphasized.

Correspondence to

Dr. Amit Chaudhary 521/37, Bada Chand Ganj, Lucknow – 226006 Uttar Pradesh, India Phone – 91 9335775099 (Mobile) Phone – 91 522-2321737 (Home) E-mail – amitwtc@yahoo.co.in