SEM observations of an IUD from a patient with Actinomyces-like organisms on papanicolaou smear
Keith, L.; Method, M.; Bailey, R.; Bockoff, C.; Hidvegi, D.; Puleo, M.
International Journal of Fertility 31(2): 123-129
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-725X PMID: 2875033 Document Number: 280960
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study an IUD from an asymptomatic patient with Actinomyces-like organisms on Papanicolaou smear and in whom Actinomyces israelii was determined to be present in cervical smears. The objective was to determine if there were any variations in surface morphology that might be correlated with the Actinomyces-like organisms. SEM revealed numerous areas of thick surface encrustation. The surface morphology of the IUD fragments showed basic similarities to the morphologies observed in other cases. Encrustations were attached to the arms and stem of the device. A unique finding was apparently biological material adherent to a fragment of encrusted material. Filamentous structures radiated perpendicularly from a central core. These filaments resembled Actinomyces-like organisms in the patient's Pap smear. Also of interest was a delicate network of hair-like structures at the bottom of a naturally occurring space in the surface encrustation.