Intracerebral hemorrhage following intravenous administration of epinephrine

We report a case of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in a young man following intravenous self-administration of epinephrine. Arteriography evidenced normal intracranial vessels, and namely excluded the presence of vascular malformations which could have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ICH. We believe that the main pathogenetic agent in this case was the sudden rise in arterial blood pressure. This report aims at underlying the severe implications of non-medical use of sympathomimetic drugs.