What does a contrast extravasation on CT indicate?

What does a contrast extravasation on CT indicate?

• A. Occlusion of a vessel
• B. Normal enhancement patterns
• C. Leakage of contrast from vessels into surrounding tissue, suggesting vascular rupture or leakage
• D. Artifact due to patient motion

Answer: (C)

Contrast extravasation on CT means that iodinated contrast has leaked out of the vessels into surrounding tissues, indicating vessel breach or markedly increased vascular permeability. This pooling or leakage away from the expected vascular path signals potential active bleeding or vascular injury, which is why it’s distinct from a plain occlusion (which would show absent downstream enhancement), a normal enhancement pattern (which stays within vessels), or a motion artifact (which degrades image quality rather than showing true contrast leakage). Recognizing extravasation helps prompt assessment of injection technique, vessel integrity, and patient stability.

Contrast extravasation on CT means that iodinated contrast has leaked out of the vessels into surrounding tissues, indicating vessel breach or markedly increased vascular permeability. This pooling or leakage away from the expected vascular path signals potential active bleeding or vascular injury, which is why it’s distinct from a plain occlusion (which would show absent downstream enhancement), a normal enhancement pattern (which stays within vessels), or a motion artifact (which degrades image quality rather than showing true contrast leakage). Recognizing extravasation helps prompt assessment of injection technique, vessel integrity, and patient stability.