Wasp sting – Causing a fatal menace

Abstract

Wasp stings are seen routinely in emergency setup, especially in developing countries. They result in varied manifestations, including both local and systemic reactions. Neurological complications, like stroke, are infrequent in the presentation. A 40-year-old healthy male presented with two episodes of generalized tonic-clonic seizures with left dense hemiplegia after 6 h of massive wasp stings. Local manifestations of urticaria, redness, and itching were present over the face, neck, and upper limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging showed massive infarct in the anterior and middle cerebral artery regions with right internal carotid artery thrombosis. An echocardiogram showed severe left ventricular dysfunction with no evidence of clot, and the carotid duplex study was normal. Systemic manifestations such as anaphylactic shock, stroke, and myocarditis are rare, fatal, and life-threatening. We must be aware of these most unusual and possible complications following a hymenopteran sting.