Citation

Palangasinghe DR, Weerakkody RM, Dalpatadu CG, Gnanathasan CA. Saudi Med. J. 2015; 36(5): 634-637.

Affiliation

Department of Medicine, University Medical Unit, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka. E-mail. dhammika27@yahoo.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Riyadh Al-Kharj Hospital Programme)

DOI

10.15537/smj.2015.5.10691

PMID

25935188

Abstract

Russell's viper (RV) envenomation causes local effects, coagulopathy, thrombosis, rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, and neurological manifestations. Although coagulopathy and endothelial destruction causing local and mucosal surface bleeding is known, isolated severe pulmonary hemorrhage is not commonly reported. We report a previously healthy 18-year-old male who had bilateral severe pulmonary hemorrhages, which resulted in a fatal outcome following RV bite. This diagnosis was supported by persistent alveolar shadows, with minimum improvement despite hemodialysis without heparin, mixed acidosis and endotracheal tube bleeding. Other bleeding manifestations were absent. Polyvalent antivenom was administered in lieu of prolonged whole blood clotting time. Thrombocytopenia and mildly deranged clotting parameters were noted. Pulmonary hemorrhages were significant enough to require transfusion. This case highlights the importance of suspecting pulmonary hemorrhages in patients with alveolar shadows and desaturation following RV bite despite the absence of other bleeding manifestations in light of failure of optimum therapy including hemodialysis.

Language: en