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Case Reports
. 2016 May 4;10(1):111.
doi: 10.1186/s13256-016-0901-z.

Duodenal perforation by an inferior vena cava filter with staphylococcal bacteremia: a case report

Sunil Pokharel  1 , Catherine Bartholomew  2 , Zing Zau  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Duodenal perforation by an inferior vena cava filter with staphylococcal bacteremia: a case report

Sunil Pokharel et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: Inferior vena cava filter complications can range from dislodgement to perforation. Patients who present with concomitant bacteremia have rarely been reported. Persistent bacteremia usually results from direct bacterial seeding from a source other than perforation of surrounding viscus. It is unclear if the risk of perforation is higher in patients who are bacteremic due to other causes.

Case presentation: We report an interesting case of a 67-year-old white woman who presented with fever, chills, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Her blood cultures were positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus with no obvious source. Upon further investigation, she was found to have an inferior vena cava filter perforating her duodenum. The cause of her abdominal pain was explained by the inferior vena cava filter penetrating the duodenum; however, the source of bacteremia could not be ascertained. The inferior vena cava filter was removed successfully, and she was discharged on an intravenous antibiotic. Her symptoms resolved soon after the filter was removed.

Conclusions: The use of inferior vena cava filters has increased significantly in recent years. This is likely due to their wider availability and safer placement techniques. With increasing use, the complications arising from these filters have been on the rise as well. It is very important for clinicians to be aware of these complications to avoid delays in diagnosis and patient care.

Keywords: Bacteremia; Inferior vena cava; Perforation.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Computed tomography scan Abdomen (axial) showing struts of filter extending to adjacent structures after penetrating the wall of inferior vena cava. Arrow pointing to one of the anterior struts of inferior vena cava filter penetrating the duodenum
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Struts of filter penetrating into the lumen of third portion of duodenum. Arrow pointing to the struts of inferior vena cava filter entering the third portion of duodenum
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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