Contrast extravasation: what to do at home, Swansea

This leaflet is not translated yet. Ask at booking and we will arrange a Welsh speaker to go through it with you. Nid yw'r daflen hon wedi'i chyfieithu eto.

What is contrast extravasation?

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

Extravasation occurs when the contrast leaks out of the vein into the surrounding tissues. This may occur despite having a good access into the vein initially.

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

How is contrast extravasation treated?

Whilst in the Imaging Department you will have had your limb raised above the level of your heart and an ice pack applied to the affected area.

When you return home follow these steps

While you are awake, apply ice (e.g. frozen peas) intermittently every 3-4 hours to the affected area for the next 24 hours.
As much as is reasonable, try to elevate your limb above the level of your heart for the rest of the day.
After the first 24 hours apply warm compresses for comfort.

In rare cases further treatment of the site is needed. Symptoms to watch for are:

Ongoing pain
Ongoing swelling
Discolouration
Redness, including redness that goes up your limb
Any suggestion of skin breakdown over the affected area.

Produced by the Clinical Imaging Facility, Institute of Life Science 2, Swansea University. The Facility joins the Prime Health network from 1 November 2026. All guides.