Inadvertent noncaval filter deployment and its management

Abstract

Inferior vena cava filters are placed to prevent life-threatening pulmonary embolism in a selected group of patients. Significant complications are known to occur with prolonged dwell times, and rarely during initial placement. In this report, we describe two cases of inadvertent noncaval inferior vena cava filter placements, specifically in the azygous vein and right renal vein, and the complex methods used to retrieve them, which exemplify the critical importance of routine and careful placement techniques.

Not so fast with the filter! Is it really in the inferior vena cava?

“…In another study, the IVC filter was accidentally placed in the right renal vein because the venogram was performed from the right renal vein, which appeared unusually vertical due to the patient's contorted body position. [4] ere have been four recognized cases of the IVC filter malposition in the right gonadal vein. [5][6][7][8] One of those cases involved a significantly dilated right ovarian vein that was confused for the IVC because of infrarenal IVC agenesis.…”