A case report of furosemide extravasation in the hand: a rare cause of compartment syndrome

Abstract

In emergency departments, many drugs, fluids, and materials for medical examinations and treatment are typically administered to patients intravenously. One of the most common complications of the intravenous bolus or infusion of drugs is extravasation injuries. These injuries may cause certain morbidities for the patient, increase the cost of treatment, and prolong hospital stays. At the same time, these injuries also carry medicolegal risks for health personnel. Furosemide is a potent diuretic that is commonly used in emergency departments for volume overload conditions. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no cases reported in the literature of furosemide-induced extravasation injury with subsequent compartment syndrome that has required surgical intervention. Presented herein is the case of a 70-year-old female patient who was administered intravenous furosemide from the dorsum of the left hand and whose extravasation injury progressed to compartment syndrome requiring an emergency fasciotomy.

Extravasation of Noncytotoxic Agents: Skin Injury and Risk Classification

“…Skin necrosis by furosemide extravasation in human and animal models has been reported. 21,53) In contrast, there are only a few unpublished reports of omeprazole and dantrolene leakage collected by pharmaceutical companies, which are limited to redness, no necrosis, and no inflammation or necrosis observed in animal experiments. Cases of acyclovir leakage injury are characteristic.…”