LCIS - biopsies MRI

taraleec

During an MRI, has anyone had the experience of the contrast(dye) exploding into your tissue?  I went for an MRI with contrast today, and they had trouble putting the IV on my right arm and finally inserted it into the left, during the time of my MRI, when they began the contrast flowing, it burned, they asked how I was doing, I told them it was hurting, they pulled me out. The tech said the dye didn't go where it was supposed to and it exploded into my tissue.  Right at the inside of my arm (where it bends) it swelled to about the size of a golf ball.  So they had to remove it and re insert the IV into my right arm, and proceed with the MRI.  Anyway was just wondering.  It's very painful and the swelling is continuing down my arm.

leaf

I haven't had that happen (I haven't had a breast MRI), but having a medication go outside of the vein is called 'extravasation'.   Depending on the drug, it can be painful, irritating, etc. 

You probably want to check with your doc/radiologist: I think they normally treat this locally with things like arm elevation, ice, etc.  Do NOT take this as medical advice. (I'm a pharmacist, not a nurse.) Call the facility that did your MRI.

They usually do not have specific recommendations for extravasation except for chemotherapy-like drugs.