Lumbar artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with inferior vena cava filter and history of strenuous physical exercise

Abstract

Lumbar artery pseudoaneurysms (LAPs) are a rare complication of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters. The few reports in the literature describe treatment of patients presenting with ruptured LAPs. This case report describes the successful management of a symptomatic LAP because of an IVC filter, which initially presented as a retroperitoneal hematoma resulting from lumbar artery laceration by a filter strut. We hypothesize that the strenuous abdominal exercises performed by the patient may have facilitated IVC penetration by the filter, leading to development of a retroperitoneal hematoma and subsequent LAP. This case suggests that patients with IVC filters should avoid strenuous exercise and underscores the importance of timely retrieval of nonpermanent IVC filters.