Perforated IUD as Atypical Cause of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection: A Case Report

Clinicians faced with common diagnoses such as pelvic pain or recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) may not consider less frequent etiologies, such as a delayed erosion of an intrauterine device (IUD). Given that modern IUDs are not approved for more than 10 years, early or midcareer clinicians unfamiliar with the earlier versions of these devices may not consider that a long-retained foreign object may be the source of symptoms in an older woman. We report a case of an IUD placed 50 years ago that eroded into the bladder, causing recurrent UTI and pelvic pain. Thankfully, minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques available now-to date unreported-enable surgical management while limiting morbidity, which is especially important in an elderly population.