The ultrasound diagnosis of retained fetal bones in West African patients complaining of infertility

Prolonged retention of intrauterine bone is a recognised cause of secondary infertility. Between 1989 and 1995, eleven West African women had retained intrauterine bone as the cause of their infertility. All the women had had termination of pregnancies in their countries of origin. Transvaginal ultr asound scan detected bright intrauterine echoes suggestive of bone which wa s confirmed and removed at hysteroscopy. Subsequently eight women conceived spontaneously 12 pregnancies. Doctors treating West African women with inf ertility should be aware of this condition and include transvaginal ultraso und scan in their investigations.