Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Case report

Adder bite: an uncommon cause of compartment syndrome in northern hemisphere

Authors: Lars H Evers, Tanja Bartscher, Thomas Lange, Peter Mailänder

Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2010

Login to get access

Abstract

Snakebite envenomation is an uncommon condition in the northern hemisphere, but requires high vigilance with regard to both the systemic effects of the venom and the locoregional impact on the soft tissues. Bites from the adder, Vipera Berus, may have serious clinical consequences due to systemic effects. A case of a 44-year-old man is reported. The patient was bitten in the right hand. He developed fasciotomy-requiring compartment syndrome of the upper limb. Recognition of this most seldom complication of an adder bite is vital to save the limb. We recommend that the classical signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome serve as indication for surgical decompression.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
2.
Reading CJ: Incidence, pathology and treatment of adder bites in man. J of Accident and Emerg Med. 1996, 13: 346-351.CrossRef
3.
Spiller HA, Bosse GM: Prospective study of morbidity associated with snakebite envenomation. J of Toxicol-Clin Toxicol. 2003, 41: 125-130. 10.1081/CLT-120019127.CrossRef
4.
5.
Downey DJ, Omer GE, Moneim MS: New Mexico rattlesnake bites: demographic review and guidelines for treatment. J Trauma. 1991, 31: 1380-6. 10.1097/00005373-199110000-00011.CrossRefPubMed
6.
Luksic B, Bradarić N, Prgomet S: Venomous snakebites in southern Croatia. Coll Antropol. 2006, 30: 191-7.PubMed
7.
Persson H, Irestedt B: A study of 136 cases of adder bite treated in Swedish hospitals during one year. Acta Med Scand. 1981, 210: 433-439. 10.1111/j.0954-6820.1981.tb09845.x.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Weatherall DJ, Ledingham JGG, Warrell DA: Oxford textbook of medicine. 1996, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 3
9.
Tucker SC, Josty I: Compartment syndrome in the hand following an adder bite. J Hand Surg Br. 2005, 30: 434-435. 10.1016/j.jhsb.2005.04.004.CrossRefPubMed
10.
Karlson-Stiber C, Salmonson H, Persson H: A nationwide study of Vipera berus bites during one year-epidemiology and morbidity of 231 cases. Clin Toxicol. 2006, 44: 25-30. 10.1080/15563650500394597.CrossRef
11.
Vigassio A, Battiston B, De Fillipo G, Brunelli G, Calabrese S: Compartment syndrome due to viper bite. Archives of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery. 1991, 110: 175-177. 10.1007/BF00395805.CrossRef
12.
Konstantakos EK, Dalstrom DJ, Nelles ME, Laughlin RT, Prayson MJ: Diagnosis and management of extremity compartment syndromes: an orthopedic perspective. Am Surg. 2007, 73 (12): 1199-1209.PubMed
13.
Frink M, Hildebrand F, Krettek C, Brand J, Hankemeier S: Compartment syndrome of the lower leg and foot. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010, 468 (4): 940-950. 10.1007/s11999-009-0891-x.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
14.
British national formulary: 1995, London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 30:
15.
Reid HA: Adder bites in Britain. BMJ. 1976, ii: 153-156. 10.1136/bmj.2.6028.153.CrossRef
16.
Borresen HC, Wagner K: Adder bites, lung injury and delayed infusion of Zagreb antivenom. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 1982, 102: 840-842.PubMed
17.
18.
Stahel E, Wellauer R, Freyvogel TA: Envenomation due to indigenous snakes. Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1985, 115: 890-896.PubMed
19.
Warrell DA: Venomous snakes: ecology, evolution and snakebite. Symposium of the Zoological Society (London). Edited by: Thorpe RS, Wuster W, Malhotra A. 1992, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Metadata
Title
Adder bite: an uncommon cause of compartment syndrome in northern hemisphere
Authors
Lars H Evers
Tanja Bartscher
Thomas Lange
Peter Mailänder
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-7241-18-50

Other articles of this Issue 1/2010

Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine 1/2010 Go to the issue

Commentary

Microfinance as a method of facilitating research in emergency medicine

Original research

Risk assessment of pre-hospital trauma airway management by anaesthesiologists using the predictive Bayesian approach

Original research

Polytrauma in the elderly: predictors of the cause and time of death

Review

The performance and assessment of hospital trauma teams

Study protocol

Prehospital randomised assessment of a mechanical compression device in cardiac arrest (PaRAMeDIC) trial protocol

Commentary

"Metabolic staging" after major trauma - a guide for clinical decision making?