Fracture of a retrievable inferior vena cava filter placed for cancer-associated thrombosis in a patient with malignant lymphoma

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism occurs in prothrombotic states, such as malignancy. To prevent fatal pulmonary thromboembolism, an indwelling inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is considered in addition to anticoagulation therapy. We herein report a case of fracture of a retrievable IVC filter in a malignant lymphoma patient. One of the filter arms was fractured and fixed to the IVC wall after one year. Since dislocation of the fractured arm was assessed correctly using three-dimensional computed tomography, we were able to retrieve the main body of the IVC filter successfully. Indications and management of IVC filter fracture should be discussed.