The increased accessibility and sophistication of contrast-enhanced imaging has helped improve diagnostic yield.1 Contrast-media extravasation (CME) is a well-known complication encountered at our tertiary care centre. Extravasation injuries typically resolve without significant sequelae. Serious complications include compartment syndrome and skin necrosis, necessitating surgical intervention.2 Initial management of CMEs at our hospital consists of rest, ice, and elevation. Institutional guidelines dictate all CMEs to be reported as a clinical incident into the Queensland Health's incident reporting system – known as “PRIME Clinical Incident (CI)”. The expressed...

The list of CMEs from February 2015 to April 2016 was generated through the PRIME CI database. An electronic chart review was then conducted. Both ionic and non-ionic CMEs were considered. There was no exclusion criteria. Data collected included demographics, complications, and whether the incident was potentially avoidable. Adverse events were categorized as major harm if surgical consultation or intervention was required.

During the audit period, a total of 29491 and 10860 contrast-enhanced Computer Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans were performed, respectively. CME occurred in 81 CT and 9 MRI patients, providing an incidence rate of 0.27% during CT, and 0.08% during MRI. Overall extravasation rate was 0.22%. 59% of the population was female, and mean age was 60.3 years (range 20 to 94 years). Patients were monitored for an average of 9.3 days post-CME (range 0 to 64 days). 48 (53.3%) incidents occurred...

The rate of CME in our series is comparable to prior data, with our finding of 0.27% for CT being within the range of 0.14%-0.9% cited across the literature.4 The incidence rate of 0.06% for MRI reported by Shaqdan et al. is similar to the 0.08% in this study.4 It is hypothesized that the higher risk of CME occurs with CT due to the larger volumes and injections rates involved with CTs.5 Observations from both this present study and prior studies reveal that CMEs are...

Victor Tang, Junior House Officer, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Patrick Eastgate, A/Radiographer - Assistant Director, Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Marita Prior, Research Development Officer, Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital John Clouston, Director, Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital

1. Kim SM, Cook KH, Lee IJ, Park DH, Park MC. Computed tomography contrast media extravasation: treatment algorithm and immediate treatment by squeezing with multiple slit incisions. Int Wound J. 2017 Apr;14(2):430-4. 2. Bellin MF, Jakobsen JA, Tomassin I, Thomsen HS, Morcos SK, Thomsen HS, et al. Contrast medium extravasation injury: guidelines for prevention and management. Eur Radiol. 2002 Nov;12(11):2807-12. 3. Queensland Health. Patient safety: from learning to action 2012. Queensland: Queensland Health; 2012. 4. Shaqdan K, Aran S, Thrall J, Abujudeh H. Incidence of...