Postlaminectomy arteriovenous fistula masked by stenosis of the inferior vena cava.

Discovery of a postlumbosacral discectomy fistula between the right iliac artery and vein was obscured by an associated severe stricture of the infrarenal inferior vena cava in a 49-year-old man. During venous stenting for treatment of peripheral edema, the fistula was suspected because of faint pulsatile right iliac vein flow and increased O2 saturation of the venous blood. The suspicion was confirmed on subsequent iliac arteriography. Surgical closure of the fistula with arterial interposition grafting was then performed. The patient improved substantially.