Naloxone: report of a beneficial side effect.

We report two cases. The first was an unexpected, complete resolution of an acute unilateral neurologic deficit associated with anesthesia when naloxone was administered to reverse residual narcotic effect. The second was a complete resolution of postoperative unilateral electroencephalographic evidence of ischemia after naloxone administration in a patient following a carotid endarterectomy. A literature search suggests that naloxone may be useful in the treatment of acute and hyperacute stroke due to ischemia.