title: Duodenal perforation by an inferior vena cava filter in a polyarteritis nodosa sufferer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are currently used in the management of pulmonary embolism (PE) and lower limb venous thromboembolism (VTE). Despite their widespread use, associated complications including duodenal perforation have been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a unique case of duodenal perforation 2 years post IVC filter insertion in a patient with polyarteritis nodosa (steroid dependent) and thrombocytopenia secondary to chronic cyclophosphamide use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IVC filters are commonly employed in the management of VTE. Associated complications have been reported including filter migration, fracture and adjacent organ perforation. There is growing consensus that temporary IVC filters should be retrieved as soon as possible with dedicated IVC filter registries to ensure patients are not lost to follow-up post insertion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Duodenal perforation is a rare complication of IVC filter insertion. This case however illustrates the potentially catastrophic consequences of a relatively common endovascular procedure. Caution should be taken when considering the insertion of IVC filters in patients with longstanding vasculopathies who are on immunosuppressants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Melbourne 3004, Australia. Electronic address: anthony_dat@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dat
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 199 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane 4102, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 199 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane 4102, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatopancreaticobiliary Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 199 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane 4102, Australia.
authors.forename: Shinn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yeung
keywords: Duodenum; IVC filter; Perforation; Polyarteritis nodosa