What is a potential danger of intra-arterial injection?

Intra-arterial injection carries several risks, among which artery spasm leading to tissue necrosis is particularly significant. When an injection is made directly into an artery, the sudden introduction of a substance can irritate the vessel wall and lead to vasospasm. This spasm restricts blood flow to the tissues that the artery supplies, which can result in ischemia and ultimately tissue necrosis if the blood supply is cut off for a sufficient duration.

Tissue necrosis is a critical concern because it can lead to serious complications, including the loss of function in the affected area or even limb loss, depending on the site of the injection and the extent of the spasm.

While hematoma formation, infection, and blood clot development are also possible complications associated with injections, they do not pose the same immediate and severe threat to the viability of surrounding tissues as artery spasms do. Thus, understanding the implications of direct intra-arterial injections helps underscore the importance of proper technique and awareness of potential complications in oral and maxillofacial procedures.