Intravascular double J stent migration: A case report, review, and management algorithm

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Interventional Radiology
• Medical Device Complications

Background:

• Ureteral obstruction often requires double J stent (DJS) placement when conservative measures fail.
• Common complications include antegrade or retrograde stent migration.
• Intravascular migration is an exceptionally rare but serious complication.

Observation:

• A case of a double J stent migrating into the inferior vena cava is presented.
• Inferior venocavagraphy confirmed the stent's intravascular position.
• Thrombus formation at the stent tip was ruled out.

Findings:

• Endoscopic retrieval of the intravascularly migrated DJS was successfully performed.
• Post-retrieval venography showed minimal contrast leakage at the perforation site.
• A review of existing literature on DJS migration was conducted.

Implications:

• This case highlights an unusual complication of double J stent placement.
• The successful endoscopic retrieval demonstrates a viable treatment option.
• A management algorithm is proposed to guide clinical practice for intravascular DJS migration.