Errant percutaneous Greenfield filter placement into the retroperitoneum

Percutaneous Greenfield filter placement through a femoral vein approach resulted in errant retroperitoneal placement in a patient with pulmonary emboli. A properly positioned filter was then placed surgically through the right internal jugular vein. The patient subsequently required removal of the errant retroperitoneal filter because of genitofemoral nerve irritation. Problems associated with percutaneous Greenfield filter placement and pertinent literature are discussed.