Predictors for Discontinuation of Intrauterine Devices That Underwent Ultrasound-Guided Placement in a Long-term Follow-up Cohort

Carrying a Pregnancy to Term With an Intrauterine Device in Place: A Case of an Intraabdominal Intrauterine Device Migration

Long-acting intrauterine contraceptives such as intrauterine devices (IUD) are popular due to their high rates of long-term efficacy, ease of use, and reversibility. Though rare, these devices can incur complications such as uterine perforation. Signs and symptoms are often vague abdominal and pelvic pain, and patients rarely present with a surgical emergency. This uterine perforation can happen immediately upon IUD placement or in a delayed manner. This case details an example of an IUD uterine perforation with abdominal migration two years after placement. The patient's history is complicated by the unique fact that she became pregnant and carried her pregnancy to a term vaginal delivery after the IUD had been placed. Her pregnancy led healthcare providers from previous encounters to believe that the IUD had been spontaneously expelled. The IUD was identified in the patient's left lower abdominal cavity via computed tomography (CT) and was surgically removed uneventfully.

Association of Intrauterine Device Malposition With Previous Cesarean Delivery and Related Uterine Anatomical Changes

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the association between intrauterine device (IUD) malposition and previous cesarean delivery (CD) and related uterine anatomical changes.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of all persons with an IUD presenting for two- and three-dimensional pelvic ultrasonography over 2 years, for any gynecologic indication, was compiled. IUD malposition was defined as IUD partially or completely positioned outside the endometrial cavity. Uterine position, uterine flexion, and cesarean scar defect (CSD) size were assessed. Patient characteristics and sonographic findings were compared between those with normally positioned and malpositioned IUD. Primary outcome was the rate of IUD malposition in persons with and without a history of CD. Logistic regression analysis was used to control for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Two hundred ninety-six persons with an IUD had a pelvic ultrasound, 240 (81.1%) had a normally positioned IUD, and 56 (18.9%) had a malpositioned IUD. The most common location of IUD malposition was low uterine segment and cervix (67.9%). Malpositioned IUD was associated with referral for evaluation of pelvic pain (P = .001). Prior CD was significantly associated with a malpositioned IUD, after adjusting for confounders (aOR 3.50, 95% CI 1.31-9.35, P = .01). Among persons with prior CD, uterine retroflexion and a large CSD were independent risk factors for IUD malposition (aOR 4.1, 95% CI 1.1-15.9, P = .04 and aOR 5.4, 95% CI 1.4-20.9, P = .01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Prior CD is associated with significantly increased risk of IUD malposition. Among persons with previous CD, those with a retroflexed uterus and a large CSD are more likely to have a malpositioned IUD.

Does Ultrasound Guidance Provide Pain Relief During Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Insertion? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate ultrasound guidance effect in pain relief during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion.

METHODS

Four different databases were searched from inception till June 2022. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared transabdominal ultrasound guidance versus traditional non-guided IUD insertion among women undergoing IUD placement for contraception. We used Revman software during performing our meta-analysis. Our primary outcome was the pain score during IUD insertion as evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Our secondary outcomes were the procedure insertion time, satisfaction, and incidences of complications and misplaced IUDs.

RESULTS

Seven RCTs were retrieved with a total number of 1267 patients. There was a significant reduction in the VAS pain score during IUD insertion among the ultrasound-guided group (MD = -1.91, 95% CI [-3.08, -0.73], P = .001). The procedure insertion time was significantly shorter within the ultrasound guidance group compared with the control group (MD = -1.35, 95% CI [-1.81, -0.88], P < .001). Moreover, more women were significantly satisfied with the procedure among the ultrasound-guided group (P < .001). In addition, ultrasound-guided IUD insertion was linked to significant decline in incidences of complications and misplaced IUDs.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound guidance can be used as a modified technique during IUD insertion as it decreases pain, procedure time, and rates of complications and misplaced IUDs with better patient satisfaction.

Strain sonoelastography in asymptomatic individuals and individuals with knee osteoarthritis: an evaluation of quadriceps and patellar tendon

An advanced ultrasound imaging technique, sonoelastography (SE) is used to evaluate tissue elasticity. To determine SE potential to detect pathological-related changes, and characteristics related to tendon pathology we aimed to (1) compare quadriceps and patellar tendon findings in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and asymptomatic older adults (AC), and (2) explore associations between SE, participant characteristics (age, BMI, and leg circumference) and KOA status. 84 participants (47; KOA and 37; asymptomatic older adults) underwent SE examination of quadriceps (distal) and patellar (distal, proximal) tendon in a supine position with the knee bent at 30°. Colour score (CS) and Elasticity Ratio (ER) analysis were performed by a blinded experienced operator using Esaote Mylab 70 XVG Ultrasound equipment. Significantly reduced elasticity in the distal quadriceps (median (IQR) 2(2), 3(1), p = 0.033 for KOA and AC, respectively) and proximal patellar (3(1), 3(0), p = 0.001) tendons and more elastic distal patellar (1.50 (0.55), 1.87 (0.72), p = 0.034) tendons were observed in the KOA group. Significant associations) were identified between SE and participant BMI (Rs = − 0.249–0.750, p < 0.05) and leg circumference (Rs = − 0.260–0.903, p < 0.05). Age, BMI and KOA status, were independent explanatory variables of SE CS findings at the distal quadriceps tendon patellar tendon, proximal patellar tendon and distal patellar tendon, explaining 66%, 81% and 64% of variance, respectively. Age, BMI and KOA status were independent explanatory variables of SE ER findings at the distal patellar tendon explaining 19% of variance. Potentially clinically relevant altered tendon stiffness were observed between individuals with KOA and asymptomatic controls. Key KOA risk factors and participant characteristics explained variance in tendon stiffness. Findings provide context for future studies to investigate the potential for targeted SE detected early clinical management based on associated participant characteristics.