title: Injury to the upper extremity caused by extravasation of contrast medium: a true emergency.
abstract: This retrospective clinical study, over a period of four years, includes 16 patients who had extravasation of iopromidum 623 mg (Ultravist 300) in the upper extremity during computed tomography (CT). Although conservative management is sufficient in most cases, seven patients were operated on. The mean time between extravasation and operation was 155 minutes. The most complicated postoperative course occurred when the operation was delayed 300 minutes after extravasation. When patients were treated early, there was no permanent postoperative impairment. Extravasation of contrast is an increasing cause of potential complications in the forearm as a result of the use of power injectors in CT. Immediate assessment by an experienced plastic surgeon followed by either conservative treatment or quick intervention if necessary may avoid serious damage.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Kantonsspital, Aarau, Switzerland. info@chirurgiaplastica.ch
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fallscheer
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kammer
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Roeren
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meuli-Simmen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide