Accidental Intra-arterial Injection of Penicillin G

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Abstract
WHEN administered by the intraarterial route, many drugs induce lesions in the small arterioles, resulting in thrombosis and ischemic damage to tissues supplied by them.1-7Intra-arterial injection of penicillin has been reported to induce damage by this same mechanism.8-11 This communication refers to two cases of accidental intra-arterial injection of penicillin. Report of Cases Case 1.— A 10-month-old infant was brought to the emergency room of Mt Sinai Hospital, New York, with a two-day history of fever and pain in the right ear. On examination, a purulent right otitis media was found and a mixture of penicillin G benzathine and penicillin G procaine (Bicillin C-R), 1,200,000 units, was administered in the upper third of the external aspect of the left thigh. Immediately after injection, the child became very irritable; four hours later, the mother noticed marked swelling of the left inferior extremity. In the emergency room, the swelling