Stroke and snakebite: case report

Abstract

Snakebites are common and lead to potential complications like neuromyopathies and strokes, these last associated with disturbances of blood coagulation. We report on a 65 years old woman of cerebral intraparenchymal hemorrhage associated with snakebite by a Bothrops jararaca that occurred in the Reconcavo of Bahia, BA, Brazil. The patient was submitted to a surgical evacuation of the hematoma, with a good result. This report is accompanied by a revision about the association among snakebite and neurological complications, emphasizing strokes. Statistics reveal a high incidence of snakebite in the world, mainly in tropical countries and gets attention for his socioeconomic impact. The clinical and laboratory characteristics to identify the victims that present a high risk of presenting strokes are discussed in order to identify early those patients, so that they may be treated in a more precocious and effective way.