Case reports   

International Angiology 2009 October;28(5):421-4

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Caval migration of a ureteral J-stent after simultaneous ureter and iliac vein perforation during its placement for obstructive pyelonephritis

Ioannou C. V. ¹, Velegrakis J. ², Kostas T. ¹, Georgakara-kos E. ¹, Touloupakis E. ¹, Anezinis P. ², Katsamouris A. N. ¹ ✉

¹ Vascular Surgery Department, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Greece 2 Urology Department, Venizelio General Hospital, Heraklion, Greece

A variety of indications have made the use of double pigtail ureteral catheters routine in urological practice. Although side effects are frequent they are usually mild. We report a case of intravenous stent migration after simultaneous perforation of the left ureter and left common iliac vein during retrograde J-stent placement. To the authors’ knowledge such a potentially severe complication of a J-stent has not been previously described. A postprocedural plain abdominal radiograph is a helpful tool which may suggest possible misplacement of the pigtail stent especially if urine fails to return from the distal opening and, if verified, advocate immediate intervention in order to avoid any further devastating complications.