Iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula after lumbar discectomy surgery: a case report

Iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula (IAVF) is an unusual and potentially fatal complication of lumbar spinal surgery. A 62-year-old patient presented with a history of dyspnea, left lower limb edema and coughing. A physical exam showed bilateral basal rales in the lungs, abdominal bruit and bilateral lower limb pitting edema. A computed tomography angiograph revealed an arteriovenous communication between the right internal iliac artery and the left common iliac vein. The patient was diagnosed with an IAVF, which developed post-lumbar disc surgery. The patient underwent a successful endovascular treatment by using covered stent at the common iliac artery with embolism of lumbar artery. The patient’s symptoms were relieved 2 months after surgery.