Disseminated intravascular coagulation like syndrome and cerebral hemorrhage caused by snake venom: a case report

Abstract

Snake venom can cause hematological abnormalities such as thrombocytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)-like syndrome. Exposure to snake venom has been associated with specific clinical symptoms, such as bleeding; however, most patients are asymptomatic. This study reports the rare case of a 75-year-old male patient, with no medical history except benign prostate hyperplasia, who was bitten by a supposed viper snake and developed subarachnoid, intraventricular, and intracranial hemorrhages in the absence of any neurovascular abnormalities, including aneurysm. After being bitten by a snake, the patient received anti-venom treatment at the first hospital and visited the emergency room. His blood tests showed DIC and clinical symptoms revealed gingival bleeding and hematuria. Despite receiving additional anti-venom treatment, blood transfusions, and vitamin K to correct coagulopathy, a cerebral hemorrhage occurred 3 h after his arrival to our hospital, and his consciousness rapidly deteriorated.