CTICasesHyperthermia Treated with Ice Packs
Imaging findings
Chest radiograph of an unresponsive elderly patient with a core temperature of 103°F demonstrates a chronic pneumothorax with an indwelling chest tube, chronic lung consolidation, and cavitation. An interesting peripheral finding is a collection of lumpy, lobulated radiopaque densities on the left arm representing ice cubes in a bag placed for active cooling.
Key takeaways
Active cooling for severe hyperthermia and heat stroke is often managed by placing ice packs on peripheral areas (such as the arms, wrists, axilla, or groin) rather than covering the entire chest. This targeted placement helps prevent excessive skin-level vasoconstriction, which would otherwise reduce blood flow to the skin and paradoxically impair heat loss.
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Related Artifact cases
- Hyperthermia-Induced Cardiac Arrest with Ice Pack Artifacts
- Surgicel (Hemostatic Material) Mimicking Postoperative Mediastinal Abscess
- Bronchial Artery to Pulmonary Artery Shunt Mimicking Pulmonary Embolism
- Intercostal Muscle Flap for Bronchial Stump Reinforcement Post-Pneumonectomy
- Onyx Embolic Material Mimicking Vascular Calcification or Foreign Body
- Loculated Postoperative Fluid Mimicking Left Upper Lobe Collapse (Luftsichel Sign Mimic)