title: Limb ischaemia after intra-arterial injection of Temazepam gel: histology of nine cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To record the histopathological findings associated with intra-arterial injection of Temazepam gel by nine drug misusers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard histological examination and immunocytochemistry for endothelial markers (factor VIII related antigen, Ulex europaeus lectin) were carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intra-arterial injection of Temazepam gel may cause severe vascular injury and lead to amputation of fingers or limbs. Histological changes include myocyte necrosis, interstitial oedema, extensive arterial, venous, and capillary thrombosis, and sometimes vasculitis, endothelial swelling, and denudation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inadvertent injection of Temazepam gel into arteries may cause catastrophic ischaemic damage, possibly as a result of toxic effects on endothelial cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Dodd
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Woodburn
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Going
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D007511:Ischemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D013693:Temazepam
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D013693:Temazepam