Medical emergencies following dermatological injections and infusions

Abstract

Emergency situations following appropriately administered injections and infusions are an uncommon dermatologic problem. Embolia cutis medicamentosa is an uncommon complication following intramuscular injection which leads to infarct-like cutaneous necrosis. It may develop after gluteal injection of corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory agents and antibiotics and has rarely been described following venous sclerotherapy with polidocanol. Hoigné syndrome is a pseudoanaphylactic or pseudoallergic reaction following intramuscular injection of procaine penicillin, with neuropsychiatric problems developing immediately after the injection. Subacute forms following intramuscular or oral administration of structurally-related antibiotics. The intraoperative use of patent blue dye has a 1-2% risk of allergic reactions. The patient must be monitored carefully following injection for the onset the life-threatening immediate reaction. Extravasation of cytostatic agents is a critical iatrogenic problem in oncology with an incidence of up to 6.5%. Every oncologic department should have an understanding of necrotic risk of the various agents and an emergency kit with instructions for immediate steps, also including agent-specific antidotes as available.