Snakebite-induced reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: report of three cases

Senthilkumaran, S., Williams, J., Almeida, J. R., Williams, H. F., Patel, K., Thirumalaikolundusubramanian, P. and Vaiyapuri, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6006-6517 (2024) Snakebite-induced reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: report of three cases. Toxicon, 251. 108161. ISSN 1879-3150 doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108161

Abstract/Summary

Envenomings from Russell’s viper typically result in local tissue damage and bleeding complications, but the bites from common krait and cobra primarily cause neurotoxic effects. While most symptoms can be treated with appropriate antivenom, additional support is necessary for several snakebite victims to tackle a broad range of unusual complications that they develop following bites. Reversible vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), characterised by the constriction of cerebral arteries, is a rare but serious issue, presenting with severe headaches and, in extreme cases, haemorrhagic/ischaemic stroke. This report presents three cases of RCVS in snakebite victims following Russell’s viper, krait and cobra bites. The patients were admitted to the hospital with neurological and/or haematological complications, and they were treated with polyvalent antivenom. After two days of antivenom treatment, all the patients developed intense headaches that lasted for several hours and failed to respond to commonly used analgesics. While the physical, laboratory and computed tomography examinations were normal, the RCVS was diagnosed with multimodal magnetic resonance angiography. All patients were successfully treated with oral nimodipine, and during their follow-ups, physical and laboratory examinations were unremarkable, and the magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the reversal of RCVS. To achieve positive outcomes in patients, clinicians must swiftly identify such rare complications and make accurate diagnoses to provide prompt treatments. Overall, this report presents an unusual complication of RCVS in snakebite patients and appropriate diagnosis and treatment approaches to tackle this condition.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/119379
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108161
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences > Biomedical Sciences Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > School of Pharmacy > Division of Pharmacology
Publisher	Elsevier
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