Extravasation

Extravasation is an injury caused by leakage of solutions from the vein to the surrounding tissue spaces during intravenous administration.

For example, most chemotherapy is applied via an injection by a needle or a fine tube into a vein. If some of the chemotherapy drug leaks from the needle or fine tube near to where it enters the body into the skin and other tissue immediately around the injection site, extravasation can occur.

Glossary