Scorpion Bite Atypically Presenting As Acute Transverse Myelitis And Sub Arachnoid Hemorrhage: A Case Report And Review

ABSTRACT

Scorpion bite is an important health issue as it has been reportedthatabout tenpersons are killed by a venomous scorpion for each killed by a venomous snake.Scorpion venom may be cardiotoxic, hemotoxic, nephrotoxic or even neurotoxic. It acts on the autonomic nervous system producing parasympathetic and sympathetic manifestations.However, few have reported sub arachnoid haemorrhage and transverse myelitis occurring due to scorpion venom.Case ReportWe are reporting a case of 50year old male who prese nted three days after an episode of scorpion bitewith paraplegia and inability to pass urine and stool due to transverse myelitis and subarachnoid hemorrhage. He was investigatedand treated accordingly. Clinical improvement was seen within tendays after the initiation of therapy. Conclusion:Scorpion sting,though rarely may present as SAH and transverse myelitis which are reversible and easily treatable.Clinical Significance:As scorpion bite is treatable,having high index of suspicion for scorpion sting inpatients of SAH and acute transverse myelitis in whom the cause of their clinical features could not be recognised may help in improving the outcome considerably in these cases.