Ischaemic stroke with internal carotid artery occlusion following viper bite: A case report

Snake bites are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical countries. Neurological complications are quite common in venomous snake bites. Strokes, mainly haemorrhagic and occasionally ischaemic, have been reported in 2.6% of snake bites. Direct effect of toxin, vasospasm and release of procoagulant and anticoagulant factors have all been postulated as the cause. However thrombotic stroke with involvement of a major cerebral vessel is very rare. We report a case of complete left internal carotid artery occlusion with ischaemic stroke in a young lady after a Russel’s viper bite.