A patient with snakebite presenting with thrombophlebitis-like appearance and DIC

Abstract

A snakebite is a serious and important problem in tropical and subtropical cities. A vast majority of snakebites are nonvenomous. However, venomous snakebites may cause local tissue destruction, neuroparalysis, systemic hemorrhage, generalized myotoxicity, and acute renal failure. A 10-year-old boy was brought to the emergency room with complaints of swelling, severe pain, and motionless left leg, developed as a result of a snakebite. After the extensive laboratory work-up, he was diagnosed with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and thrombophlebitis was ruled out. The antivenom treatment was administered and he improved dramatically within 3 days. A snakebite-induced DIC is a very rare complication and its presentation may mimic thrombophlebitis-like picture. A detailed and careful history taking will help to make an accurate diagnosis and, thus, an early proper management will be administered to rescue the patient’s life.

Keywords::

• DIC
• snake bite