Implanon localization

[Boon]

Dear Steve,

What is the best way to locate the implanon when patient can’t feel it herself?

Thank you.

[Stephen Bird]

Hi Boon,

We do many ultrasound guided removals of Implanon devices.

Yes, the arm above the head , resting on a pillow is a great position.

I ask the patient where they think the Implanon is located and start my search in this area.

Most of the time you can feel it, but not always.

Use a high frequency linear array and a single focal zone set just above the muscle and scan in a systematic fashion.

I have not had one I could not find yet,

Sometimes they are some distance from the expected location, and sometimes I find them inside the long head of triceps muscle, especially on skinny people.

My wife has one in her triceps muscle !!!

Just look for a foreign body appearance with an acoustic shadow.

It might be best if you turn your compounding down or off to make the shadow more obvious.

Steve.

[Author]

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