Vascular injury following disc surgery

The case of a patient who suffered a vascular injury following lumbar disk surgery is presented. She presented to the emergency department for evaluation of hypotension and congestive heart failure, which occurred acutely several days after her surgery. At angiography, a large A:V fistula was demonstrated between the aorta and vena cava. The diagnosis and pathophysiology of this complication of lumbar disc surgery is discussed.