High-pressure paint gun injury: clinical presentation and imaging findings

High-pressure paint gun injuries are potentially devastating injuries that require emergent surgical incision and drainage. They result from erroneous equipment operation and accidental injection of a variety of substances at pressures high enough to breach the skin. The largely benign superficial appearance masks the extent of the underlying injury. In the absence of an appropriate history, the radiologist must recognize the characteristic radiographic findings and suggest the diagnosis to the clinician.