Bilateral inferior vena cava filter insertion in a patient with duplication of the infrarenal vena cava

Background: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertion is a commonly performed procedure for indications such as recurrent pulmonary emboli or contraindication to antico-agulation. Symptomatic duplication of the IVC is exceedingly rare with only a handful of cases being described in the literature. Aim We report an unusual case of a patient with symptomatic duplication of the IVC. Result A 53-year-old woman presented at our hospital for resection of a cerebral metastasis from a non-small cell lung cancer following a recent diagnosis of bilateral lower limb deep venous thrombosis. This required perioperative reversal of anticoagulation and IVC filter insertion. Conventional venography performed during filter insertion documented the existence of a duplicated IVC. Conclusion We present a case of a symptomatic duplication of the IVC requiring filter insertion. We review the developmental anatomy of the IVC along with the diagnostic findings and management strategies available.