An unusual case of arteriovenous fistula following lumbar disc repair presenting with pulmonary embolism

Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) frequently occur following gunshot injury. Traumatic iliac AVF are uncommon and iliac AVF occurring after lumbar disc operation are rare. There are many causes of pulmonary embolism (PE). Although the most common cause of PE is venous thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities, iliac AV fistula with thrombophlebitis due to lumbar disc operation as a cause of PE are very rare. We describe a patient with iliac AV fistula with common iliac vein thrombophlebitis due to previous lumbar discectomy presenting with PE.