Newton's Law to the rescue: therapeutic effects of gravity aiding the management of a migratory venous foreign body--a case report

Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2009 Aug-Sep;43(4):406-9. doi: 10.1177/1538574409336481. Epub 2009 Jun 24.

Abstract

The management of intravascular metallic foreign bodies (FB) can be difficult and challenging. We report a case of a migrating FB, initially within the femoral vein which subsequently migrated to the intrahepatic vena-cava. Following a change of posture, the metallic FB moved with gravity against the normal venous blood flow to the left renal vein. It was finally fixed in position in a peripheral branch of the renal vein using an intravascular stent. Employing gravity as a therapeutic intervention and the technique used in isolating the FB has not, to our knowledge, been reported before. A case is described, and the literature is reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational*
  • Adult
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Catheterization, Peripheral / instrumentation*
  • Femoral Vein / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign-Body Migration / etiology
  • Foreign-Body Migration / therapy*
  • Gravitation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phlebography
  • Posture
  • Railroads*
  • Renal Veins / diagnostic imaging
  • Stents*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Venae Cavae / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Penetrating / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Penetrating / etiology
  • Wounds, Penetrating / therapy*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants