[A fetal bone as a foreign body in the uterus]

The ultrasound examination of a 49-year-old female patient with irregular and painful menstruations has revealed a foreign body in the uterus. In 1973 (19 years prior to procedure), the patient had an artificial abortion and since then has not been able to conceive. In 1977, hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy did not reveal the cause of infertility. Hysteroscopy was undertaken and diaphysis of a fetal bone 22 mm long was removed. This bone was most probably, functioning as an intrauterine device, the cause of infertility. Thus, the authors' findings strengthen once again the association between abortion and infertility. It is concluded that transvaginal sonography and hysteroscopy open new possibilities in identifying and treating such disturbances.