Contrast enhanced CT is a valuable tool in modern day medicine. During these examinations, power injectors are usually used for the injection of contrast media. Unfortunately, in some patients, contrast media extravasations occur. The incidence of contrast media extravasation has been previously reported to be between 0.1% and 0.9%. The frequency has also been reported to be unrelated to the flow rate. Extravasations of contrast media may cause pain and swelling. In severe cases, ulcerations and compartment syndrome may occur.[1] Extravasations should be avoided as...

Contrast enhanced CT examinations: CT examinations from August 2014 to August 2016 were reviewed for the study. Injection data from 1059 contrast enhanced CT examinations were included in the study. Nine types of contrast media: Optiray320 (Ioversol), Iomeron300 (Iomeprol), Iomeron350 (Iomeprol), Omipaque300 (Iohexol), Omnipaque350 (Iohexol), Iopromide300, Iopamiron370 (Iopamidol), Oiparomin300 (Iopamidol), Oiparomin370 (Iopamidol) were used during the study period. All contrast agents were injected from prefilled syringes. Contrast media injection and data collection: A power injector (Dualshot, Nemoto Kyorindo, Tokyo, Japan) was used for the injection...

1059 contrast enhanced CT included 1058 normal injections and one injection with extravasation. The peak pressure and time to peak pressure was not consistent between the different types of contrast media. However, when evaluating the shape of the time-pressure curves, these curves could be categorized into 3 different types: The injection pressure would peak out and gradually decrease (Type1), the injection pressure would reach the peak pressure and stay at a plateau after the peak (Type2), and the injection pressure would and gradually keep on...

Extravasations during the injection of contrast media in contrast enhanced CT are sometimes difficult to avoid. These extravasations may occur despite setting a pressure limiter. This may be due to the peak pressure being unconsistent even in injections of the same type of contrast media. This unconsistency may be due to the viscocity of the contrast media being different at different temperatures. Warmer contrast media would result in a decreased peak pressure. The shapes of the pressure curves were different among the types of contrast...

[1] ACR Manual on Contrast Media, Version 9: American College of Radiology; 2013