Inadvertent noncaval filter deployment and its management

Inferior vena cava filters are placed to prevent life-threatening pulmonary embolism in a selected group of patients. Significant complications are known to occur with prolonged dwell times, and rarely during initial placement. In this report, we describe two cases of inadvertent noncaval inferior vena cava filter placements, specifically in the azygous vein and right renal vein, and the complex methods used to retrieve them, which exemplify the critical importance of routine and careful placement techniques.