McEachen, J.C.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are widely used to decrease the risk of pulmonary embolism in patients with contraindications to anticoagulation. Complications include local hematoma, access site deep venous thrombosis (DVT), filter migration and embolization, leg penetration through the IVC wall, IVC occlusion, and filter fracture with embolization. Other rare complications include leg penetration into adjacent organs including duodenum and ureter. Lumbar artery pseudoaneurysms are rare and may be spontaneous, iatrogenic, or traumatic. To date, there have been 3 case reports of lumbar artery pseudoaneurysms caused by IVC filters. We present an additional case of a lumbar artery pseudoaneurysm caused by a Gunther Tulip IVC filter treated successfully with selective embolization.

Prolonged chylothorax is a rare, life-threatening, pleural effusion that may be encountered in the setting of trauma. Conservative treatment may be successful and is the traditional approach in cases of limited chyle output. Early surgical intervention is required in cases with large refractory chyle output, but may be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Percutaneous thoracic duct embolization is an uncommon, minimally invasive, safe and effective treatment alternative. We report a case of successful thoracic duct embolization to treat large-volume chylothorax due to blunt trauma.