Chronic inferior vena cava filter thrombosis presenting with low back pain and radiculopathy: Treatment with thrombolysis, filter removal, and stenting

Clin Imaging. 2021 Aug:76:160-165. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.01.041. Epub 2021 Feb 10.

Abstract

Background: Epidural venous congestion secondary to inferior vena cava (IVC) stenosis is a well-documented cause of low back pain and radiculopathy secondary to compressive effects from the epidural veins, decreased tissue perfusion, and resultant ischemia.

Methods: Single patient case report.

Case description: We report a unique case of a 62-year-old male with low back pain secondary to IVC stenosis from a chronically occluded IVC filter. The patient's pain resolved with endovascular removal of the occluded filter and recanalization of the IVC.

Conclusion: We demonstrated that by treating the underlying cause of secondary epidural venous engorgement (occluded IVC filter in this case), the patient experienced resolution of back pain and radiculopathy.

Keywords: Epidural venous engorgement; Inferior vena cava filter; Inferior vena cava thrombosis; Low back pain; Radicular pain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain* / diagnostic imaging
  • Low Back Pain* / etiology
  • Low Back Pain* / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiculopathy* / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiculopathy* / etiology
  • Radiculopathy* / therapy
  • Thrombolytic Therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vena Cava Filters* / adverse effects
  • Vena Cava, Inferior / diagnostic imaging
  • Venous Thrombosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Venous Thrombosis* / therapy