• Reference Number: HEY1096/2025
• Departments: Radiology
• Last Updated: 30 April 2025

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you general information. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and the healthcare team but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team.

Many procedures within the department of Radiology involve an injection of a contrast media (dye) into a vein. The reasons for the injection will be explained at the time of the procedure. Sometimes, during these injections, an extravasation (a leak) may occur. This leaflet aims to explain what this is and how it should be looked after.

What is an Extravasation?

An extravasation occurs when the contrast media (dye) accidently leaked out of a vein into the surrounding tissue. If this occurs you may feel pain, swelling or tightening in the injection area. We understand that this maybe worrying but all our staff are well trained to deal with this situation.

Before you leave the Department.

• A staff member will explain what has happened.
• You will be observed for a short time to check for any issues.
• You may have a cold compress or pressure bandage applied.

After leaving the hospital (and for the next few days)

For the next, few days please note the following instructions:

• Keep your arm elevated as much as you can.
• Drink plenty of fluids (non-alcoholic)
• Take paracetamol for any localised pain
• Apply a cold compress up to three times a day on the affected area.

Contact the hospital if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Blistering over the injection site
• Redness or skin colour changes.
• A difference in skin temperature at the site. (compared with the temperature of your skin elsewhere)
• Numbness or tingling in your fingers
• Hardness at the injection site that doesn’t go away after 3 days.

After 2 days you will be contacted by a member of the CT Team:

A member of the CT team will contact you two days after your scan to check on your recovery. If you have any concerns before then, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Contact numbers for follow up advice.

Contact numbers for follow up treatment issues

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet or with ongoing symptoms, please contact:

During hours of 9.00am to 5.00pm Telephone Tel: 01482 875875

Ask for the CT department where you have had your scan.

During hours of 5.00pm to 9.00am, at weekends and Bank Holidays:

Telephone: Tel: 01482 482170. This is the Emergency CT department.

One of the Radiology doctors will be able to offer you advice.

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

General Advice and Consent

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

Consent to treatment

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.

The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:

• you must be able to give your consent
• you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
• you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.

If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.