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A penetrating inferior vena caval filter

R DuraiRaj1, S Fogarty

  • 1Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. dr_raj7777@hotmail.com

European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery : the Official Journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery
|August 29, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A rare complication of vena caval filters is described, where a Greenfield filter penetrated the duodenum. This case highlights the need for considering endoscopy in patients with unexplained symptoms and a history of filter placement.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Medical Device Complications

Background:

  • Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to prevent pulmonary embolism.
  • Historically, IVC filters were permanently placed, but risks are associated with these devices.
  • A case of duodenal penetration by a Greenfield IVC filter is presented.

Observation:

  • An 83-year-old woman presented with epigastric discomfort and abnormal liver function tests.
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) revealed an IVC filter penetrating the small bowel wall.
  • This represents a unique presentation of a penetrating vena caval filter.

Findings:

  • The patient's symptoms were attributed to the penetrating IVC filter.
  • The standard stainless steel Greenfield filter was implicated in the duodenal penetration.
  • Diagnostic imaging confirmed the filter's migration and perforation.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider penetrating vena caval filters as a diagnosis in patients with relevant symptoms.
  • Endoscopy may be a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying this rare complication.
  • This case underscores the importance of monitoring patients with long-term IVC filter placement.
Abstract

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