Life-threatening systemic toxicity and airway compromise from a common European adder bite to the tongue.
A 24-year-old man was bit on the tongue by a European common adder. Within 15 min following envenomation, he experienced tongue swelling, hypotension and impaired consciousness. Antihistamine, corticosteroid and crystalloids were administered. Within 105 min of envenomation, increasing oral, pharyngeal and facial oedema compromised the airway, leading to respiratory failure, concomitant with circulatory failure related to hypoxaemia and systemic toxic effects. Acute tracheotomy secured the airway, and two doses of antivenom successfully treated the systemic, toxic effects. The reaction was severe due to rapid and suspected high-dose uptake of venom, underlining the need for early advanced symptomatic treatment with airway control and early and eventually repeated dosing of antivenom.
Hoegberg
L C G
LC
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, The Danish Poison Information Centre, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 60.1, Copenhagen, Denmark. LHOE0021@bbh.regionh.dk
Jessen
C L
CL
Lambertsen
K
K
Stensballe
J
J
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D012769:Shock / Q000188:drug therapy; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries*; D014140:Tracheotomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000506:poisoning*; D017819:Viperidae; D055815:Young Adult
D000997:Antivenins; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D014757:Viper Venoms