Compartment syndrome of the hand with acute bullous eruption due to extravasation of Computed Tomography contrast material

G. D’Asero, E. Tati, M. Petrocelli, L. Brinci, L. Palla, P. Cerulli, V. Cervelli

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Study, “Tor Vergata”, Rome (Italy)

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• Plastic Surgery

This article presents a case of an 80 year-old woman with severe hematoma and consequently a compartmental syndrome of the hand complicated with acute bullous eruption due to extravasation of contrast material.
Compartment syndrome of the hand has been linked to a number of various etiologies. Failure to adequately diagnose and treat compartment syndromes of the hand can lead to irreparable functional loss.
In the majority of the cases extravasation results only in minimal swelling or erythema. However, severe skin necrosis, ulceration and compartment syndrome may occur with extravasation of large volumes.
Compartment syndrome was diagnosed, and the patient underwent immediately fasciotomy. After fasciotomy we weekly followed up our patient with medications and after she regained the full use of the hand.
We report this case to assess the importance of a careful evaluation of the intravenous administration site and close monitoring of the patient during contrast material injection to obtain minimal or prevent every kind of extravasation injuries.

Corresponding Author: Ludovico Palla, MD; e-mail: ludovicopalla@gmail.com

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