[Clinical evaluation of hysteroscopy in management of missing and difficult-to-remove IUDs].

32 cases of missing and difficult-to-remove IUDs were examined by hysteroscopy, using carbon dioxide as the medium to distend the uterine cavity. Of these, 6 cases with IUDs or retained broken pieces previously missed by fluoroscopic examination were detected by hysteroscopy; 3 cases previously reported as having IUDs by fluoroscopic examination, which, however, failed to be removed after 3-5 trials in other hospitals (with 1 case resulting in perforation of the uterus and serious infection) were diagnosed by hysteroscopy to have IUDs translocated outside the uterus. Based on the relationship between IUDs and the uterine cavity established through hysteroscopic examination, the 32 cases in the present study could be classifed chiefly into 4 groups: IUD lying free within the uterine cavity (16 cases), IUD embedded in uterine wall (9 cases), retained broken pieces (4 cases), and IUD outside the uterus -- translocation of IUD (3 cases).

Thyroid cancer after irradiation.

Nine patients with thyroid cancer who had received irradiation on the thyroid region (four for breast cancer with deep x-ray or Co60, one for a skin lesion with deep x-ray and four for hyperthyroidism with I131) have been discussed. These cases might be within the range of statistical coicidence, but the potential carcinogenic effect of irradiation could not be ruled out completely. The need for detailed examination of the thyroid gland before and for many years after irradiation and early removal of thyroid gland nodules which develop after I131 treatment are emphasized.