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Your doctor has requested that you have a venogram. This is a medical
term for x-ray pictures of a particular set of veins in your body.
Common reasons for doing this test are to detect blockages or narrowing
of the veins, or to determine if there are any blood clots in your
veins.
This procedure usually requires the placement of a small intravenous
needle in the x-ray department. Subsequent to this x-ray, "dye"
(contrast) is injected into the veins to be examined through the
intravenous needle. X-ray pictures are then taken to document the
appearance of the veins that fill with the x-ray "dye".
The Risks of a Venogram Include:
- Local infection of the skin at the site of the intravenous
injection. This is very rare and topical skin disinfectants are
used to attempt to prevent this complication.
- Leakage of the x-ray "dye" from the vein during injection.
This is slightly uncomfortable if it happens but there is very
little risk that it will cause injury to the skin or soft tissues.
This complication is very rare and is usually readily visible
during the time that the x-ray "dye" is being injected.
- Irritation or inflammation of the veins filled with the x-ray
"dye". This was common before the advent of the newer,
safer x-ray "dye" used currently. This is now a very
uncommon complication.
- "Allergy" to x-ray contrast ("dye") - A
serious life-threatening "allergic" type reaction occurs
in approximately 1/50,000 to 1/150,000 people. This is very rare.
You should discuss any allergy history with your doctor prior
to booking an angiogram.
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