Stroke in right face after MRI injection

Question

After cataract surgery, I had PVD and accummulation of fluid at back of my eye. I kept losing vision rapidly. I also had Macular edema. Had floaters, flashes etc. with lot of pain at back of my eye. I visited Emergency OPD at hospital but no specific tests were done to my eye at early stage such as Floursene Angigraphy or OCT. I kept complaining to Doctors that my vision was diminishing quite rapidly. One and half month later I was completely blind. Dr sent me for MRI test of brain. I told the nurse I was heart patient and was going to refuse injection if it caused risks to my health. She told me not to fear so I signed a form. During the test some chemical was injected in my right hand. Then I felt some unusual taste in my throat. A minute later I felt a short shock like pain in back of my head. When the test was done technician pulled me out of chamber and as i woke up to wear my shoes, I had a numb feeling in my right face especially in my upper right lip. I went and changed my cloth. Later my left face was numb, my wife said I had stroke in my face. I ignored her comment.and went home. Next day visited my GP who said it was mini stroke. The treating at Hospital told me that he received my MRI test report which indicated that my blindness was due to accummulated wide spread of white matter at back of my brain which blocked my vision which had resulted in my blindness.So please I would like to know whether my blindness was caused "white matter at back of my brain which blocked my vision" or due to other eye problems I had prior to MRI? I still have stroke in my right face following the MRI test, and what could be done now? I appreciate your kind opinion on this matter please.

caregiver222 · Answer

Doctornee is one hundred percent correct.

I agree that the dye may not be the cause of the problem.

Nevertheless, an adverse drug incident form should still be filed with the FDA. This will precipitate an investigation of the incident by the FDA. If this is the case it may be that a specific lot number of the medication was improperly prepared. This is why it is imperative to file this form immediately.

KMathurMD · Answer

Hi 
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Hemifacial paralysis may not be due to the dye. This could be due to Bell’s palsy or trigeminal neuralgia, or due to acoustic neuroma which is a benign tumor of the eighth cranial nerve. It can also be a ministroke but since it is persisting, this is a less likely possibility. The loss of vision could be due to combination of factors and fluid accumulated at the back can also appear white. Please take a second opinion from another eye specialist and consult a neurologist too. Take care!

caregiver222 · Answer

You need to obtain the hospital report of exactly what was administered.

There have been some reported adverse reactions to the dye medium used in MRA's, and the incident should be reported to the FDA via their adverse drug incident reporting form.

The timing of the stroke and the injection of medication may have been coincidental, however you seem to have a potential tort action. That being said you can rest assured nobody connected with the original procedure is going to admit to the possibility the dye injection is connected with your paralysis.

What can be done now is to consult an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice. That being said, I think you will find that the form you signed specifically states that the dye may cause injury and you waive your rights to sue for damages if the dye injection causes damage or disability.