Endovascular treatment of an iatrogenic perforation of the internal iliac vein

Abstract

We describe the case of a 48-year-old woman who developed a pelvic abscess after extensive surgery for recurrent ovarian cancer. While draining the abscess, a massive venous bleeding occurred. The bleeding was controlled by introducing a Foley catheter transrectally, occluding the perforated internal iliac vein. However, the catheter was positioned unintentionally in the inferior vena cava, causing hemodynamic instability. The iatrogenic perforation of the internal iliac vein was managed successfully with an endovascular approach using thrombin in combination with balloon-induced thrombosis. If iatrogenic venous bleeding occurs and the placement of a stent is precluded, balloon-induced thrombosis in combination with thrombin injection can be used successfully.