Jm. Schleich et al., SHORT-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF INFERIOR VENA-CAVAL FILTERS - COMPARISON OF IMAGING TECHNIQUES, American journal of roentgenology, 161(4), 1993, pp. 799-803
OBJECTIVE. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the advanta
ges and limitations of various imaging techniques in identifying probl
ems associated with percutaneous placement of filters in the inferior
vena cava. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. One hundred four vena caval filters (
65 Filcard, 39 Cardial) were placed in 100 patients (four patients rec
eived two filters). Venacavograms, duplex sonograms of the abdomen, ab
dominal radiographs, perfusion scans of the lung, and impedance plethy
smograms were obtained in all patients within 1-2 days and 3 months af
ter filter placement. CT scans of the filter were obtained in 55 patie
nts. RESULTS. In five patients, thrombosis of the inferior vena cava,
with retraction of the filter struts in four patients, was noted on ve
nacavograms, CT scans, duplex sonograms, and impedance plethysmograms.
Perforation of the inferior vena cava was noted in 36 patients after
comparison of findings on venacavograms and CT scans, with an increase
in the filter span in 29 patients (apparent on duplex sonograms in on
ly two patients). Four filter tiltings (>30-degrees) and 25 migrations
(>5 mm) were noted on abdominal radiographs. Trapped thrombi in the f
ilter were shown on venacavograms in nine cases, but on duplex sonogra
ms and unenhanced CT scans in only two cases. CONCLUSION. Our study sh
ows that the major complications of inferior vena caval filters can be
detected by noninvasive examinations. Only venacavograms consistently
show small trapped thrombi that do not extend above the filter, but t
he importance of such thrombi is unknown.