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

Abstract

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement can lead to rare but sometimes serious complications, including malposition of the IVC filter in a non-target vessel or organ. We present the case of a 74-year-old male who presented to our institution for a percutaneous nephrostomy tube change and was incidentally found to have two IVC filters, one of which was properly positioned in the IVC and one of which was improperly deployed in the right ascending lumbar vein. Venography through the sheath before filter loading and deployment decreases the risk of malpositioning the IVC filter.