Contrast extravasation: what to do at home

For patients who have been told that contrast leaked around the vein during a scan.

What is contrast extravasation?

You will have been given a dye (contrast) through a cannula placed in your vein, so that your veins and arteries show up more clearly on a CT scan. For timing purposes the injection may have been given quite quickly, and the greater the rate of injection, the greater the chance of extravasation.

Extravasation is when the contrast leaks out of the vein into the surrounding tissues. This can happen despite good access into the vein to begin with.

In the vast majority of cases the swelling settles without any significant problems.

How is it treated?

While you were in the imaging department, your limb will have been raised above the level of your heart and an ice pack applied to the affected area.

When you get home

While you are awake, apply ice (frozen peas will do) to the affected area every three to four hours for the next 24 hours.
As much as is reasonable, keep the limb raised above the level of your heart for the rest of the day.
After the first 24 hours, apply warm compresses for comfort.

When to get it looked at

In rare cases the site needs further treatment. Contact us, your GP or NHS 111 if you notice:

ongoing pain
ongoing swelling
discolouration
redness, including redness that travels up your limb
any suggestion of the skin breaking down over the affected area

Contacting us

If you need any more information, please call the imaging facility on 01792 606 420, or the number on your appointment letter.

This guide is the imaging facility's own patient information. If anything here differs from your appointment letter, follow the letter and call us if you are unsure.

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