MRI agent leaked, arm swollen and hurting after three weeks

[Dentalmaniac]

I went for an MRI with and without contrast three weeks ago. The tech could not find my vein and finally when she did, she started injecting the contrast and then said she'd blown my vein. When I asked her what it meant, she said, oh your arm will get bruised. She then called in another technician who found another vein, injected the contrast and the test was done. When I got home, I noticed that my arm was bruised and swollen on the side that the vein was blown. It's been three weeks and my arm still hurts to the touch and it's still swollen. The swelling has probably gone down a bit, but not completely. It was bruised only for a week but the swelling and pain is still there. Did anyone have this happen to them? What did your doctor do as a follow up if it did happen? How long did it take for your arm to get back to normal? And also does this mean the contrast agent is still in my body? Will it cause serious complications? I am extremely worried!
Also I'm travelling on a long flight in a couple of days and now worried that this could be a blood clot which could get worse during the flight. Are my fears irrational? I keep bugging my doctor about that and just sent him an email asking him if I need an ultrasound before the flight. This is a long awaited trip for the family and I feel I'll ruin this trip with my worries and paranoia. Appreciate someone sharing their experience in a similar situation and what should I do?

[Dentalmaniac]

Hi Moirajax, I don't have any blistering or ulceration. The hypochondriac that I am I have done so much research that I knew what it could be. I've been to my doctor multiple times and they keep telling me to wait. Thanks so much for your response.

[MoiraJax]

Honestly, have you contacted the ordering physician about this?  There are complications that can happen from the contrast medium, depending on the amount that had been injected.  I'd suggest either contact your ordering Dr or your family doctor.  It's not simply a blown vein (unless it was just the initial saline that did it) if contrast dye was indeed leaked into surrounding tissues.  I don't believe it's a life threatening, but if you have any blistering or ulceration of the surrounding skin, I'd put in a call to your Dr and then go to the ER right away to have it checked out.  Better safe than sorry.  It's called Contrast media extravasation (CMEV)

[Bubbleswonder]

I'm not exactly sure what your injury means but I am sure that whoever injected your veins did not know what they were doing and should not have continued. They should have called for help as soon as they realized they were having trouble. I'm very concerned for you and I feel as though you should file a lawsuit.

[cnote]

I had a nurse once take blood, and was HORRIBLE at hitting my vein. I have GOOD veins too.

It got REALLY ugly looking in a day or so, and continued to look worse. But after about 2 weeks, it turned green and went away.

I would NOT worry about it.

I'm not a Dr., but a blood clot forms in your veins usually. What you are experiencing is blood that leaked OUT of your vein into your tissue etc. Which just looks ugly until your body flushes it all out and the bruising goes away.

Don't fret. :)