TITLE:
Delayed Lumbar Artery Laceration and Symptomatic Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage Following IVC Filter Placement
AUTHORS:
Jennifer P. Montgomery, Kenneth J. Kolbeck
KEYWORDS:
Inferior Vena Cava Filter, Pulmonary Embolism, Hemorrhage, Arterial Embolization, Lumbar Artery Laceration
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Radiology,
Vol.5 No.4,
December
10,
2015
ABSTRACT: Inferior vena cava filters are placed in selected patients to protect against potentially fatal pulmonary embolism. Generally, filter placement is regarded as a safe procedure although rare complications may arise. Recurrent thromboembolic events are the most common complications assoiated with inferior vena cava filters; however, there are multiple reports of filter fracture, migration, embolization, penetration and perforation. The aim of this report is to illustrate a serious potential complication of inferior vena cava filters. We report a rare case of symptomatic retroperitoneal hemorrhage occurring 3 weeks after filter placement treated successfully with selective arterial embolization of a lumbar artery laceration. This case serves to highlight the importance of retrieving filters when they are no longer beneficial.