Hoigné's syndrome or pseudo-anaphylactic reaction to procaine penicillin G: a still current classic
Schmied, C.; Schmied, E.; Vogel, J.; Saurat, J.H.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 120(29): 1045-1049
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 2374895 Document Number: 351883
In this journal in 1959 R. Hoigné described the first cases of pseudo-anaphylactic reactions induced by intramuscular administration of procaine penicillin G. This complication, characterized by acute psychological and neurological manifestations, is still of current interest since recently three cases of Hoigné's syndrome were diagnosed at the University Hospital of Geneva. This entity deserves consideration because it must be differentiated from authentic anaphylactic shock due to penicillin. The distinction is important from a therapeutic viewpoint since Hoigné's syndrome allows continuation of treatment, whereas it is absolutely contraindicated in anaphylactic shock.