An Unusual Case of a Filshie Clip Presenting as a Bladder Wall Abscess 12 Years After Sterilization

Patient: Female, 52-year-old Final Diagnosis: Bladder abscess caused by Filshie clip Symptoms: Abdominal pain Medication:— Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology OBJECTIVE: Unusual clinical course BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence suggesting that Filshie clip migration is a rare but significant late complication following tubal sterilization. Although most women are asymptomatic, clip migration can result in serious morbidity such as abscess formation and be a source of sepsis years later. CASE REPORT: A 51-year-old woman presented with 2-week history of worsening right flank pain with fever and chills, unresponsive to oral antibiotics. CT imaging showed a 4-cm anterior bladder wall mass with a tubal ligation clip within, initially suspicious for a tumor, with secondary infection. Cystoscopy was unremarkable and tumor markers were negative. A subsequent CT urography confirmed the finding of right adnexal abscess with ligation clip within, suggesting a diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease. Due to failure of conservative management, she underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy, which was then converted to an exploratory laparotomy due to dense omental adhesions. A Filshie clip was found within the bladder wall abscess and removed. An inadvertent bladder dome perforation was repaired. Pain and fever resolved after the operation and she was discharged home on post-op day 4 with an indwelling catheter. A micturating cystogram a month later showed no extravasation of contrast and the catheter was removed. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the importance of considering Filshie clip migration as a differential diagnosis vs. pelvic inflammatory disease in women without other risk factors and who had previously undergone tubal ligation. Women should be made aware of this potential, rare late complication and its serious morbidity, which may occur years later.