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Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Subdural Hematoma | Case report

A fatal case of traumatic brain injury with severe coagulopathy due to Rhabdophis tigrinus (yamakagashi) bites: a case report

Authors: Daisuke Ueno, Shiino Yasukazu, Jiro Takahashi, Satomi Miyamoto, Takahiro Inoue

Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Yamakagashi venom is a prothrombin activator, leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation. We report a fatal case of severe coagulopathy from head trauma assumed to be caused by a yamakagashi bite.

Case presentation

An 80-year-old man fell and developed systemic tonic–clonic convulsions. Head computed tomography revealed brain contusion and acute subdural hematoma. Physical examination revealed two bite marks with persistent bleeding on the right lower leg. The patient stated that he had been bitten by some creature 3 days prior, but the bite was left untreated. Laboratory tests showed fibrinogen levels below the detection limit. Although eighteen units of fresh frozen plasma were administered for coagulopathy, fibrinogen levels did not improve. He died about 18 h after a head injury.

Conclusion

In this case of a yamakagashi bite with active bleeding due to trauma, early administration of yamakagashi antivenom should be considered to control coagulopathy.
Literature
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go back to reference Hifumi T, Murakawa M, Sakai A, Ginnaga A, Yamamoto A, Ato M, et al. Potentially fatal coagulopathy secondary to Yamakagashi (Rhabdophis tigrinus) bites that completely recovered with antivenom treatment. Acute Med Surg. 2015;2(2):123–6. https://doi.org/10.1002/ams2.69. eCollection 2015 Apr.CrossRefPubMed Hifumi T, Murakawa M, Sakai A, Ginnaga A, Yamamoto A, Ato M, et al. Potentially fatal coagulopathy secondary to Yamakagashi (Rhabdophis tigrinus) bites that completely recovered with antivenom treatment. Acute Med Surg. 2015;2(2):123–6. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1002/​ams2.​69. eCollection 2015 Apr.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
A fatal case of traumatic brain injury with severe coagulopathy due to Rhabdophis tigrinus (yamakagashi) bites: a case report
Authors
Daisuke Ueno
Shiino Yasukazu
Jiro Takahashi
Satomi Miyamoto
Takahiro Inoue
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1865-1372
Electronic ISSN: 1865-1380
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-021-00402-4

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