Pregnant with a perforated levonorgestrel intrauterine system and visible threads at the cervical os

We present a case in which a patient presented with a pregnancy of unknown location and normally rising human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels but with a levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) present. The LNG-IUD had been placed 4.5 years ago. Although unintended, this pregnancy was desired. Strings were clearly visible and initial 2D ultrasound suggested intrauterine location of the LNG-IUD. The LNG-IUD could not be removed however. The patient was managed expectantly with close follow-up, serial beta-hCGs and serial ultrasounds until definitive diagnosis of the location of the pregnancy. The patient was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy and during laparoscopy the body of the IUD was noted in the posterior cul-de-sac. When patients present with multiple competing clinical problems it is important to look at the patient as a whole, taking into account their desires, in order to construct a cohesive management plan.