[Circumscribed skin necroses following intramuscular injections. Review and case reports]

In rare instances local hemorrhagic necroses may be observed after intramuscular injection. The clinical features of this side reaction - lividoid dermatitis progressing to hemorrhagic necrosis and prolonged wound healing - are presented in the light of four of our own observations. With regard to the etiology, functional vascular spasm, embolism or/and local thromboses are discussed.