Contrast Extravasation

The trauma patient was undergoing CT angiography of the chest to rule out major vascular injury. Immediately after the intravenous contrast administration the patient was noted to have swollen arm. Contrast extravasation (spread of contrast outside the vascular system) was the likely cause.

The XR of the arm confirmed...the contrast extravasation (ever wonder why healthcare is so expensive in America?).

The XR did show though a very nice distribution of the contrast along the fascial planes (see image above).

Contrast extravasation is not a mere inconvenience (causing pain and swelling). In some cases it could lead to muscle and tissue necrosis and even a limb loss.

The patient did fine and went home in a few days. No injury, by the way, was found on the CT scan.