Sonographic Demonstration of a Levonorgestrel-Releasing LUD
Yaron Zalel, Doron Kreizer, David Soriano, Reuven Achiron
Ultrasound Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecologic Dept., Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
Mirena, a new intra-uterine device (IUD) introduced in Israel during the past year, releases 20 mcg/day of levonorgestrel for 5 years. It has the advantages of reduced pregnancy rates and diminished menstrual blood loss, together with a low risk of pelvic inflammatory disease compared with current IUD's.
It has a typical sonographic appearance, differing from that of regular IUD's, which was demonstrated in all 15 women examined in this study. Its sonographic appearance includes both proximal and distal ends of the vertical arm of the device, which extend into the internal cervical os and fundal region, respectively. Acoustic shadowing between both ends defines the location of the device, which should help avoid consultations due to "lost IUD's."