Norplant removal facilitated by use of ultrasound for localization

Two case reports are presented, describing the use of a 7-MHz ultrasound transducer to locate and visualize Norplant rods that could not easily be removed. The first patient was referred to the radiology department for a sonogram for unrelated reasons; her self-reported history led to the attempt to locate a retained Norplant rod. The second patient was first referred by a physician for the stated purpose of rod localization. After ultrasonic localization of the retained rods, both patients returned to their physicians' offices and underwent successful removal of the rods. Morbidity related to difficult rod retrieval can be reduced by using ultrasound for localization.