Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUD) have been a form of birth control for many hundreds of years. Just as their composition and architectures have changed, so have their sonographic appearances and clinical implications. With the emergence of volume imaging brings the ability to consistently evaluate the uterus in the coronal plane, which brings an entirely different diagnostic perspective and thought process for the evaluation of an IUD. This article provides three examples of how volume imaging is extending the sonographic evaluation of patients with IUDs.
Mbabajende V. : Historical survey of modern reversible contraceptive methods [in French]. Imbonezamuryango1986 Apr;(5):14-17.
2.
Mansnerus, L. : More Profits, more conflict. Women's health: special section index. New York Times June 22, 1997.
3.
Nagamani Peri , Graham, DL: Imaging of intrauterine contraceptive devices . J Ultrasound Med2007;26:1389-1401.
4.
Palo P.: Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound detection of levonorgestrel IUD in the uterus. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand1997 ;76:244-247.
5.
Bradley J.: Ultrasound interactive case study: ring IUD. http://www.obgyn.net/ultrasound/ultrasound.asp?page=/ultrasound/present/9808/bradley. Accessed August 5, 2008.
6.
Wikipedia: Intrauterine device. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device. Accessed August 5, 2008.
7.
Association of Reproductive Health Professionals: Use of intrauterine contraception in the United Sates. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.arhp.org/files/IUDCPlippesloop.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.arhp.org/healthcareproviders/cme/onlinecme/IUDCP/IUCcharacteristics.cfm&h=208&w=246&sz=8&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=u8Vi-J2lnTafM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlippes%2Bloop%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den. Accessed August 5, 2008.
8.
de Kroon CD, van Houwelingen JC, Trimbos JB, Jansen FW: The value of transvaginal ultrasound to monitor the position of an intrauterine device after insertion: a technology assessment study. Eur Soc Hum Reprod Embryol2003;18:2323-2327.
9.
Petta CA, Faundes D., Pimentel E., et al: The use of vaginal ultrasound to identify copper T IUDs at high risk of expulsion. Contraception1996;54:287-289.
10.
Kent MG: Sonographic evaluation of an abnormal location of an intrauterine device. J Diagn Med Sonography1999;15:203-205.
