Technetium and blood extravasation before gammagraphy: a case report

BACKGROUND: An 80-year-old woman presented with an abrupt onset of asymptomatic black-to-purple discoloration of her right limb that appeared just before a thyroid gammagraphy. No antecedent of trauma was found. CASE PRESENTATION: On questioning, patient admitted she did not cooperate during intravenous administration of Tc-99m-pertechnetate. Based on the abrupt onset of lesions and the absence of cooperation during intravenous administration of radiotracer, a suspect diagnosis of technetium and blood extravasation was made. This entity was confirmed in basis of evolution, with a spontaneous resolution of lesions within the next 15 days with no complications. CONCLUSION: Patient and physicians must be reassured because of the non-vesicant property of technetium. Recovery of this entity is spontaneous, and no treatment is needed.