Intracranial hemorrhage after prehospital administration of intramuscular epinephrine.

Background: The administration of epinephrine by the intramuscular route can be life-saving in cases of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions. However, the use of this drug can lead to a rapid rise in blood pressure, which theoretically could lead to deleterious effects in patients of any age, with elderly patients at greatest risk.
Objectives: To present a rare case of intracranial hemorrhage potentially resulting from the administration of intramuscular epinephrine in an elderly patient with an allergic reaction.
Case Report: We present a case report of a 65-year-old woman who developed an intracranial hemorrhage after a single, therapeutic, intramuscular dose of epinephrine for a wasp sting to the tongue. The patient underwent successful craniotomy with evacuation of the intracranial hematoma.
Conclusions: In circumstances where the severity of the allergic reaction remains unclear (lack of airway compromise, cardiovascular collapse, or true anaphylaxis), careful consideration of the potential risks of intramuscular epinephrine, such as a rapid rise in blood pressure leading to intracranial hemorrhage, should be undertaken when using this medication in elderly patients.
(Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)