[A rare complication of the Greenfield vena cava filter]

The authors report an unusual case of retroperitoneal haemorrhage following the application of a Greenfield modified titanium filter: haematoma due to the lesion of a lumbar vein was favoured by anticoagulant therapy and complicated by infection, ending in frank disruption of the vein wall. A review is made of the modalities of caval penetration and perforation with the Greenfield filter.