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Home > Archive > Radiology > October 2004 > Problem with IV contrast during CT scan?
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Problem with IV contrast during CT scan?
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| stoverny 2004-10-25, 11:09 am |
| This morning I had a CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis, which included IV
contrast in my arm. When the tech started the contrast, I felt the
fluid flowing into and collecting in my arm near my bicept, which I
never felt before. I also wasn't getting the usual warm flushed
feeling. I also felt some mild pain in my arm near the injection
site.
The tech came in and I think he sensed a problem since he started
holding my arm straight up and squeezing and rubbing the injection
site. He was asking if I felt discomfort in my arm (I did, although
not severe), and if I was feeling the flushed sensation (which I
wasn't). Finally after squeezing my arm for a while he seemed
satisfied, and after a minute or 2 I felt the warm feeling that I am
accustomed to.
After, he said that a small amount of the contrast may have gone
outside the vein somehow, and that my arm was swelling as a result.
Right now I have no pain or swelling in my arm, but I am wondering if
this could be harmful, and if there are any symptoms I might need to
be aware of. Thank you.
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| Ray Laughton 2004-10-25, 7:11 pm |
| stoverny <d_schaub@mail.com> wrote:
> This morning I had a CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis, which included IV
> contrast in my arm. When the tech started the contrast, I felt the
> fluid flowing into and collecting in my arm near my bicept, which I
> never felt before. I also wasn't getting the usual warm flushed
> feeling. I also felt some mild pain in my arm near the injection
> site.
>
> The tech came in and I think he sensed a problem since he started
> holding my arm straight up and squeezing and rubbing the injection
> site. He was asking if I felt discomfort in my arm (I did, although
> not severe), and if I was feeling the flushed sensation (which I
> wasn't). Finally after squeezing my arm for a while he seemed
> satisfied, and after a minute or 2 I felt the warm feeling that I am
> accustomed to.
>
> After, he said that a small amount of the contrast may have gone
> outside the vein somehow, and that my arm was swelling as a result.
> Right now I have no pain or swelling in my arm, but I am wondering if
> this could be harmful, and if there are any symptoms I might need to
> be aware of. Thank you.
Extravasation of contrast can be painful if a large amount is involved,
or if the injection site is in other areas like the back of the hand.
The contrast itself is not harmful in soft tissues. The downside is that
the CT may need to be repeated if not enough contrast made it thru your
circulation.
ray
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