Radiology, Vol 160, 521-524, Copyright © 1986 by Radiological Society of North America
Inferior vena caval filters: noninvasive evaluation
GC Liu, TL Angtuaco, EJ Ferris, HR Shah, JE Reifsteck and DL Harshfield
Transvenous inferior vena caval filters were placed in 32 patients (21
bird's nest [BN] and 11 Kimray-Greenfield [K-G] filters). Positive contrast
cavography was performed before and immediately after filter placement as
well as during long-term follow-up studies. In 23 patients, computed
tomographic (CT) scanning was also performed; in 10 patients, real-time
ultrasound (US) study was used as an adjunct. CT scans of the BN filter
showed one case of hemorrhage and one case of air embolism, both of which
were not recognized at cavography. CT scanning of the K-G filter
demonstrated two cases of deep penetration of the prongs and one large
retroperitoneal hematoma. Real-time US scanning played a major role in
checking the final position of the filter and in determining its stability
during repositioning of the upper prongs of one BN filter. Noninvasive
examinations, including CT and US scanning, are valuable adjuncts in
immediate and long-term follow-up study of patients with inferior vena
caval filters.
