Propofol-related urine discoloration in a patient with fatal atypical intracerebral hemorrhage treated with hypothermia

INTRODUCTION Mild therapeutic hypothermia is an increasingly recognised treatment option to reduce perihemorrhagic edema in severe intracerebral hemorrhage. CASE DESCRIPTION We report the case of a 77-year old woman with atypical intracerebral hemorrhage that was treated with mild hypothermia in addition to osmotic therapy. The patient's urine subsequently showed a green discoloration. Urine discoloration was completely reversible upon discontinuation of propofol. DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION Propofol-related urine discoloration may have been provoked by hypothermia. Due to the benign nature of this side effect, propofol should be stopped and gastrointestinal function should be supported. CONCLUSION More studies are needed to show a causal role of hypothermia and related decreased enzymatic function.